The Care Inquiry Report has now been published, heralding the free personal and nursing care policy a success.

A call for a thorough remodelling of the Scottish Executive’s flagship free personal care for the elderly budget has been made by MSPs. The Scottish Parliament’s health committee also said it wanted the law changed to stop councils setting up waiting lists for care.

A centre where mental health patients can go in times of crisis is set to open despite a wrangle with planning authorities.

The growing row over free personal care for the elderly is to go to the courts, with a test case challenging a council over a £1700 bill for a pensioner’s meal service.

Health officials are investigating four cases of tuberculosis (TB) at a care home near Airdrie. Four residents of the Eastercroft House care home in Caldercruix were diagnosed as having TB, three of whom have since died, NHS Lanarkshire said.

An independent review which will look at how improvements could be made in inspection, regulation, audit and complaints handling for public services in Scotland has been launched.

Argyll and Bute Council has hit back at criticism over its funding allocation to care packages for the elderly. Councillor Dick Walsh, the Council’s Spokesperson for Social and Health Issues said, “This is a complex situation and the picture is constantly changing. The fact of the matter is that the budget to support Social Work, which comes from the Scottish Executive, is finite and we have to continually assess the priorities and strike a balance between competing demands on that budget which include child protection and mental health obligations as well as care for the elderly.

{mosimage}The winners of Scotland’s national Care Accolades awards were announced at a glittering gala lunch and award ceremony held in Aberdeen on Friday June 2nd.  Hosted by Kaye Adams the award ceremony took place at the Marcliffe at Pitfodels Hotel, Aberdeen.  The annual event recognises best practice throughout the social service sector and guests were treated to stories of ground breaking research, heart-warming efforts and innovative professional practice.

{mosimage} The Church of Scotland has warned it may have to close its care homes if the Scottish Executive does not bridge a massive funding deficit. The warning came as the General Assembly was told by Rev David Court, the convener of the Social Care Council, which manages the Church’s nursing and residential homes and care services, that it was “not being funded at an adequate level” by the Executive.

The Care Commission’s Director of Adult Services Regulation recently met with Highland Council to discuss challenges faced by care home owners in meeting the Scottish Ministers’ National Care Standards.