The ‘structure, funding and regulation’ of adult social care in Scotland urgently needs to be reviewed as part of efforts to restart the Scottish economy after covid-19, according to a group of experts advising government.

One of the 25 recommendations from the advisory group is for the Scottish Government to ‘accelerate its work on reforming adult social care’ to ensure it is sustainable in future.

Scotland faces an “imminent recession” on a scale many warn will dwarf the economic crash of 2008.

Over two months ago, representative body Scottish Care warned thousands of carers were at risk of losing their jobs despite “quite literally putting their lives on the line to deliver services” during the pandemic.

Although the document calls for changes in adult social care, it only refers to care homes and does not mention care at home.

Emphasising not only the economic contribution of the care sector in Scotland – estimated at over £3bn – the advisory group says ‘good quality, safe, supportive and effective care’ is ‘essential’ to society.

Established in April 2020, the group is chaired by Benny Higgins – a banker appointed by Nicola Sturgeon in 2017 to assist the Scottish Government in establishing a Scottish National Investment Bank.

The Principal of the University of Glasgow – Professor Anton Muscatelli – and the University of Oxford’s Professor Anna Vignoles – a specialist in education – are also part of the advisory body established to make recommendations on how Scotland could achieve a ‘greener, fairer and more inclusive economy’ in the wake of covid-19.

Action is called for to address the ‘major challenges’ endemic in social care, including recruitment, retention and pay,

Meanwhile the advisory group highlights the contribution of unpaid carers who they say government should ‘recognise and support’.

Concerns have been raised throughout the coronavirus outbreak about the impact prioritising the health service has had on social care.

Care homes found themselves struggling to get PPE amid a scramble to supply the NHS that sent prices soaring and availability greatly reduced.

A care at home provider in Edinburgh told healthandcare.scot they found themselves behind care homes in the queue for protective equipment.

Nicola Sturgeon said government would look to give a “full and substantive response” to the report by the of July.

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