Overview

• The Scottish government has officially abandoned its National Care Service legislation, initially introduced as a major reform to integrate social care with the NHS.
• Projected costs for the National Care Service ballooned from £600 million to £2.2 billion, sparking widespread criticism and logistical concerns.
• Former Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, who championed the Feeley Review that inspired the reform, has condemned the government for losing public and political support for the initiative.
• A chronic shortage of social care workers has exacerbated NHS bed shortages, with some patients unable to be discharged for years due to lack of care provisions.
• Critics argue that both the SNP and UK governments have failed to address systemic issues in social care funding, including low wages and unclear responsibility for costs.