The Scottish Government is looking to create a National Care Service (NCS) that that ensures everyone has access to high-quality social care support when they need it.
Since the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill was introduced to Parliament in June 2021, The Scottish Government has been busy speaking to people across the country to co-design what the National Care Service should look like.
The voices of those with lived experience of community health and social care support are at the heart of the new National Care Service. Listening to, learning from and working with people who receive or deliver services is what it means to co-design.
In the first phase of co-design, there were five key themes:
In the second phase, The Scottish Government will undertake surveys, interviews, and workshops with people with lived experience and stakeholder organisations. They will do this in a way that best suits the needs of participants, offering both in person and online events.
The outcomes of all initial co-design activity will be presented and discussed at the 2nd National Care Service National Forum in October. This is another opportunity for people to come together and consider what co-design is and what should happen next. People with lived experience of both accessing and delivering (whether in a paid or unpaid role) care support, stakeholder organisations, and SG officials will be invited.
Details of sessions will be advertised soon but if you have any questions in the meantime, please contact the National Care Service Design Participation Team by emailing LEEP@gov.scot or calling their Helpline on 0808 196 1507. The Helpline is open Tuesday 9am-12noon and Thursday 1pm-4pm. At any other time, leave a message and someone will return your call.
