Revealed: Scotland’s care charges lottery

PEOPLE most in need of care across Scotland are bearing the brunt of the council budgets squeeze – paying for services that were once free while facing huge discrepancies in charges depending on where they live.

Figures obtained by The Herald reveal many elderly and disabled people have seen steep increases in fees for services such as day care, blue badge stickers for disabled motorists, community alarms and shopping services.

The responses to freedom of information requests confirm budget cuts have led to steep increases in charges for older and vulnerable citizens, with rises of 30% to 50% in the space of just three years not uncommon, and in many cases new charges introduced for services that were previously free.

Examples include the fact that half of all councils now charge the maximum £20 administration fee allowed for issuing a blue badge. Three years ago only two councils did so. Yet eight councils still make no charge and others ask for only a nominal amount.

The Herald’s survey is further proof of the existence of a postcode lottery for non-residential care charging in Scotland
The cost of day care varies wildly, with several councils charging nothing at all for services such as the use of day centres. Others charge only for meals provided.

However, in Dundee, day care for the elderly could cost up to £34.70 per day, with adult day care rising to a maximum rate of £54.80 per half-day. South Lanarkshire charges £34.98 for older people’s day care and is to introduce charges for people with disabilities as well, although the rate has yet to be set.

Most councils will fit a community alarm in the home of a vulnerable person for free, but charges to monitor and maintain the service cost anything between £1.35 and £6.90 a week. At least 16 councils have increased the amount they charge for this service since 2008.

Councils point out that fees charged for services such as day care are means-tested. However, this makes it even harder to compare charges from one area to another, as different authorities calculate an individual’s disposable income in different ways, and use different scales to determine how much someone can afford.

Leading charities expressed concern at the findings, saying they showed a worrying trend towards higher fees at a time when many councils were actually reducing the amount they spent on services.

Mike Holmes, executive director for learning disability charity Enable Scotland, said: “The Herald’s survey is further proof of the existence of a postcode lottery for non-residential care charging in Scotland. We believe there should be greater equity in both the standard of care people receive, and also in the cost people have to pay for these care services.”

Doug Anthony, spokesman for Age Scotland, said it was inevitable there would be some differences in the charges levelled by different councils. He added. “What concerns us more is that in some instances fees are set so high that they are likely to be unaffordable and many older people won’t access them at all.”

The Herald’s revelations came as Labour called for a review of social care procurement in the Scottish Parliament yesterday. The party’s spokeswoman, Jackie Baillie, also warned of an emerging “postcode lottery” due to the different charges now imposed.

Local authority body Cosla is reviewing its guidance on charging for community care services. A consultation concluded last month and council chiefs have now set up a working group that will provide new advice to councils by November. Leading charities representing people with disabilities and older people were invited to sit on this group.

Councillor Douglas Yates, Cosla’s social work spokesman, said councils acknowledged there were concerns about the issue. “We recognise that this is a matter that needs to be looked at,” he said. “The working group is already asking fundamental questions about portability of care and is exploring ideas like the introduction of a cap on individual charges.”