Part of General Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 25 September 2025.
Jamie Halcro Johnston
Conservative
I thank the Minister for his answer, but I would welcome a little more detail in future.
Local councils assess the need for, and deliver, free personal care, but it was legislated for by this Parliament. The Scottish National Party’s website hails the policy as one of the landmark achievements of devolution, but too many old and vulnerable people across my Highlands and Islands region are being left waiting for months, if not years, for the support that they have been assessed as needing. Some are left languishing in already-crowded hospitals, because there is no care support available to get them home or no place available in one of our pressured care homes.
Does the minister accept the seriousness of the situation across the Highlands and Islands and across Scotland? Without repeating the usual excuses, what does he say to those who are waiting for care support that they have been assessed as needing but have been left waiting to receive it?
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