Chamber and committees

It is helpful for us to have a bit of colour when it comes to people’s experience. Are you able to expand on the complaint that you were talking about on access to equipment?

What sort of equipment are you talking about? Who would that impact?

Good morning. I would like to hear your reflections on the charter of rights. What level of reassurance does the draft charter provide that people who use support services and care services will be fully supported in accessing what they are entitled to in relation to independent living?

Jim, you are making eye contact, so I will come to you first.

Thank you.

How do we simplify the process? It is always helpful to think about it from the perspective of someone who, for example, has a family member whose care package has not been fulfilled. How do we simplify the process for them to complain and get what they are entitled to?

We always acknowledge that more money would be helpful for everyone. We are definitely in tough times, but it cannot always just be about money. We need support for the charter and the principles, and I think that everybody wants to achieve the aims that are outlined for the national care service, especially if we think about our citizens and the service users who are not always getting the best at the moment.

COSLA’s position is that it is open to negotiating and achieving those aims. We have spoken about areas in which there is disagreement, but if support for the overarching aims is there, I would imagine that you would want to talk more.

I ask Karen Hedge to what extent the draft charter makes clear the rights that people have, versus what they can expect from the national care service.

Thank you—that is helpful. Age Scotland’s submission talked about the differences between rights and expectations. Could you expand on the importance of that?

Does Enable Scotland have views on the charter or the complaints process?

Thank you.