Questions about cost of free personal care raised

Fresh questions about the affordability of free personal care for the elderly have been raised by a senior figure in social work.

Harriet Dempster, president of the Association of Directors of Social Work, called for public debate on the value of the policy.

Ms Dempster, director of social work at Highland Council, warned that public funding cuts in a recession, combined with rising numbers of the frail elderly, meant something has to give.

Speaking in a radio interview he said: “We are in a very difficult financial situation.

“What I’m saying is that it`s time to discuss this issue and to debate whether we are getting the very best outcomes for our older people in continuing the policy.”

Before the policy was introduced in 2002, those able to pay for care were asked to make a contribution, she said.

“When we have an increased number of frail elderly and very vulnerable people, if we have short resources we want to ensure that the most vulnerable people, who are not in a position to make any contribution, get the services.”

Her call came days after the disclosure that the cost of free personal and nursing care rose by 11% last year to £358million.

Within this total, the bill for free personal care for those living at home has almost doubled to £257million since the policy was introduced in 2002.

The Scottish Government has defended the policy, saying it has improved the lives of more than 50,000 people.

Lord Sutherland, the architect of the free personal care policy, has previously raised questions about whether it was “viable” in the long term, she said.

“I am just asking that we have a discussion and debate about that now so we can plan for the future.”