People are struggling to access basic services until they have reached crisis point, according to evidence presented to the ongoing review of adult social care.

A report released following evidence sessions with people with experience of care and third sector organisations outlines “high levels of frustration” with the make-up of social care.

Participants voiced concerns that eligibility rules are driven by a desire to save money rather than people’s needs.

Criteria for accessing support in many areas were described as being set at a threshold of ‘crisis and emergency’.

The report was compiled by the Health and Social Care Alliance, which has been holding evidence sessions across Scotland to support the review of adult social care.

Chaired by former NHS Scotland CEO Derek Feeley, the review is considering a national care service and is set to report in January.

Supporters of a national care service argue it would ensure people get the same support wherever they live and reduce the involvement of private companies in the care sector.

But opponents have described the review as politically motivated, while a leading economist said it was a “distraction” from more important issues.

Participants felt that future reforms should not try to mimic the NHS because this risked the flexibility and local choice that comes with a mix of providers.

However, they said the sector would benefit from more consistent national standards, instead of decisions being left to each of Scotland’s 32 local councils. 

These include a single set of eligibility criteria across the country, following a warning that the existing system had become a ‘postcode lottery’.

Other suggested changes such as a ‘national learning system’, a country-wide care career structure that extends to the third sector, and providing each service user a single data record and transferrable care plan.

The report states: ‘Analysis of contributions showed that there were some examples of good quality and effective support operating at a local level however, there are high levels of frustration around the existing structure and design of social care services.

‘Eligibility criteria, workforce development, the value of unpaid carers and the implementation gap between policy and practice were amongst many of the key themes that people told us needed the review panels attention, to improve service provision.

‘The third sector’s contributions to providing social care support were identified across our engagement activity as one of the biggest strengths of the social care system, with self-management principles providing the foundation to high quality, long term, asset-based support.

‘There was a general consensus from the engagement activities for Scottish government to increase resources and support for the third sector to ensure quality local delivery of services and support, which is encompassing the principles of choice and control and which meets people’s needs.’

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