One of the advisory panel behind the independent review of adult social care has said he fears the “brand new world” set out in the report will not happen.

Dr Jim Elder-Woodward, chair of the Scottish Independent Living Coalition, said he is worried the “broken system will just continue – with one or two peripheral tweaks, which will make no real difference at all.”

Dr Elder-Woodward is one of many signatories to an open letter urging political parties not to row back on one of the key planks of the review – to strip local authorities of their powers over social care.

The missive is signed by a wide range of organisations from across Scotland representing people who use or provide care, including Professor Ian Welsh of the Health and Social Care Alliance, who also advised the review.

The Scottish government and COSLA, which represents local authorities, issued a joint statement in March that accepted most of the report but made clear disagreements remained about the role of councils.

‘We are deeply concerned that there should be any attempt to water down or diminish the development of a National Care Service,’ the letter states.

‘The current system of social care being commissioned and resourced by local authorities has simply not worked especially for those who matter most – those who use care support.’

The letter was co-ordinated by Inclusion Scotland and Scottish Care, who said the ‘current status quo which has clearly failed…is in danger of continuing because of the desire of local authorities to retain existing fiscal and governance controls.’

Dr Jim Elder-Woodward said a “fresh start” was needed, including the introduction of an independent complaints and redress system.

“But, most importantly there needs to be that voice of lived experience heard, not just at the table, but from the top of the table,” he continued.

“However, we also fear that this brand new world will not happen. This broken system will just continue – with one or two peripheral tweaks, which will make no real difference at all.  The people of Scotland must stop this from happening.”

Inclusion Scotland said disabled people and their carers had seen “little to no change” to “fundamental flaws” in the system, despite a raft of well-intentioned plans and visions.

The charity said: “We would like to see broad commitment to the report as until now local democracy has not been accountable for people needing adult social care support, nor does it comprehend its full value and purpose to both the individual and society at large.”

Dr Donald Macaskill of Scottish Care commented: “This letter expresses the very real concern from those who provide care services and those who use them that the vision of a National Care Service is in danger of not happening because of the desire of local authorities to retain much of their existing control and influence.

“The Report after extensive engagement told us that the system is broken. We have known this for a long time. The significant and systematic changes that need to take place where we have the creation of a National Care Service but with local accountability cannot be negotiated away between national and local government.”

The letter and the full list of signatories can be read online.

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