The Scottish Parliament's health and community care committee has backed commissioner Sir Stewart Sut...
Its report builds on the Royal Commission's findings and requests equality in service delivery and an end to means testing.
Commenting on the report, committee convener Margaret Smith said: "A civilised society is judged upon how well it looks after its most vulnerable citizens and it is clear that many of Scotland's most vulnerable people are not getting the support services they need or deserve. Throughout our 10 month inquiry, the overwhelming message we received from stakeholders in community care was that personal care services should be free at point of use.
"While we recognise that such a commitment could have an effect on other aspects of community care spending, we received strong indications that this is an important issue of principle for the people of Scotland."
She added: "The committee, therefore, fully recommends to the Executive that free personal care should be provided on the basis of assessed need. The committee based its decision on equality, fairness and the evidence provided that this would lead to better service delivery."
Richard Thomas, managing director of independent care advisory service, Red Arc Assured, said: "This is a reflection of how strong peoples' opinions are on this issue, particularly from the charities. One thing in the Royal Commission that really incensed the charities was the Government's failure to recognise the wider definition of personal care."
He added: "It will now be interesting to see if this has any impact on thinking in England and Wales."
But Sandy Johnstone, LTC strategy manager at Norwich Union, said that it was unlikely the Scottish Parliament would act on this recommendation.
He said: "I would be very surprised if we end up with a two-tier system in England and Scotland. There would be a lot of recrimination and imbalance with people in Scotland aggrieved if their contribution to the 'social pot' was up for grabs to those south of the border."
This could cause individuals in Northern England and Scots residing in England to head to Scotland to take advantage of greater welfare provision.
Paul Bennett, LTC marketing manager at PPP lifetime care, said: "Because of devolution Scots are now able to act differently, but I think they need to think of the implications - people may head to Scotland to receive care."
Full implementation of Sutherland's proposals is expected to cost in the region of £110 million a year. Scotland's new first minister, Henry McLeish, has stated that he will review the report and has not ruled out implementing the proposals.
