‘Ministers Must Act Now To Save Social Care’

Care home operator Parklands Care Homes has backed calls by Scottish Care for a fairer deal for the social care sector amid rising costs and labour shortages. In a new blog, Parklands MD Ron Taylor reveals that agency costs alone have soared by more than 800% in just two years.

Parklands marks its 30th anniversary this year, but Mr Taylor says he’s never known such a challenging time for the social care sector.

He said: “In 30 years as a care provider, I’ve never known such a challenging time for the social care sector. Something has to give. The sector is operating on empty and sooner or later, it will run out of steam.”

Mr Taylor has urged ministers to intervene in the current stalemate surrounding the National Care Home Contract which sets out Scotland-wide rates for residential and nursing care. Despite months of negotiation, no agreement has been reached this year.