Holyrood’s Health and Social Care Committee says it is unable to continue its scrutiny of the National Care Service Bill with the information it has currently, following a decision to share legal accountability for social care with local authorities.

Writing to the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd MSP, the Holyrood committee says it recognises that ‘significant amendments’ to the Bill may be needed.

The committee says it will require more information to fully understand the implications of these recent developments and how they will be reflected in the legislation.

In July, the Scottish government, COSLA and NHS Scotland agreed that they would together share accountability for people’s care in the National Care Service.

Convener Clare Haughey MSP is now asking for the Scottish government to give more detail of future amendments needed to reflect this, whether co-design will inform this and future anticipated costs.

The letter comes a week after the committee were told that the shared accountability decision was taken “behind the backs” of disabled people organisations and the Scottish government held its National Forum on the NCS.

Committee Convener, Clare Haughey MSP, writes:

‘Based on evidence you, representatives of COSLA, local government and others have most recently given to the Committee, it is clear that the proposed shift to a model of shared accountability will necessitate significant amendments to the Bill as introduced.’

Last month, Ms Todd told the committee that there is still a lot to ‘work out’ with the National Care Service.

She said she “envisions” Integration Joint Boards – which currently oversee local social care and community health care – being retained and strengthened in the new system.

The Health Committee is now asking for greater clarity from the minister on the future of IJBs and the bodies originally proposed in the Bill to replace them – care boards.

The letter also asks whether the government still intends for ministers to have the power to create and abolish care boards.

Other questions around what will make it into the Bill as part of planned Stage 2 amendments, including ethical commissioning arrangements and a national care board, also feature in the letter.

The committee is also looking to clarify whether the government still intends to carry out a public consultation on the future inclusion of children’s and justice services within the NCS.

A final report from the Centre of Excellence for Children’s Care and Protection (CELCIS) to inform the government’s decision on children’s services was due to be published in October this year.

The Committee Convener is asking for a detailed response on the issues raised by no later than the 6th of December, to allow for a Stage 1 parliamentary debate to take place by the end of January 2024.

Read more: Unpaid carer: Funding is vital to delivering the NCS; Holyrood committee fails to back Transitions Bill; Pressure mounts to pause NCS; Lived experiences must be platformed in NCS debate; Holyrood scrutinises self-directed support 10 years on

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