Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has called for a greater focus on the future of social care in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking in a Holyrood debate on care home recruitment, the Scottish Conservative MSP said: “Our care homes have been in the front-line of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Over 2,000 residents have died from the virus in Scottish care homes - the highest rate of any nation in the UK - and there are real questions for the Scottish Government to answer on why residents and staff were left so exposed.
“However, we must also recognise that many of the challenges facing social care in Scotland predate the pandemic and so we have to look openly and honestly at how the sector can be supported going forward.
“For far too long, caring for our most vulnerable fellow citizens has been seen as a low-wage and low-skill occupation. That simply does not do justice to the responsibilities of the role, the skills that are required and the efforts of staff.
“There have been difficulties for many years in filling staff vacancies, and this has led an increasing reliance on recruitment from overseas. Those who come here to work do a fantastic job and, as well as their efforts, often become valuable and welcome members of local communities.
“However, it seems unfair – and unsustainable in the long term – for Scotland to continually expect carers from other countries to fill an employment gap of our own making and, given we have an ageing population, the challenge is not going to go away.
“Part of the solution may be creating a more attractive career path into social care for local people, with links to healthcare and the allied health provisions. That could be supported by a commitment to continuing professional development and vocational qualifications.
“No doubt there will be other views and contributions. But we owe it to those within the sector to focus our attention on care homes and social care, and make sure that debate starts now.”
