Free personal and nursing care is on track to be introduced in Scotland on 1 July, according to depu...
Free personal and nursing care is on track to be introduced in Scotland on 1 July, according to deputy health minster for Scotland, Frank McAveety.
He said: 'Implementation is on track across local authorities and will be effective and sustainable. Although we cannot rule out that every case will be ready by 1 July, all indications are that the assessment process is going well.'
A £250m package will be introduced over the next two years. This will include the abolition of charges for personal care in the community and a flat fee of £145 a week for personal care with an additional £65 for nursing care for self-funding residents. Extra funding will be given to local authorities to offer care in people's own homes.
McAveety said: 'We have delivered free personal care for older people and ensured nursing care is free for all who need it. This valuable care will be provided free in homes as well as at home. It will be based on an individual's care needs and marks a huge step forward in fairer charging for care services.'
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland has is to follow Wales' lead and provide a flat fee towards nursing costs.
Sandy Johnstone, retirement and protection strategy manager at Norwich Union Healthcare, said: 'Northern Ireland is committed to free nursing care and hopes to bring it in from October 2002. A figure hasn't been decided yet, but it will not be less than £85 a week.'
