Homecare focus for Scotland

The Scottish government has published a new Bill that will see an increase in the amount of domiciliary care provided, as well as see the integration of health and social care budgets across the country, blazing a trail that has yet to be followed in England where it is still up to local agencies how fast they push forward the integration agenda (CCMn April 2013). The Bill also contains measures to reduce the number of delayed discharges in the country. Health Secretary Alex Neil said: People in Scotland are living longer, healthier lives – which is good news. But it also means that services need to adapt in order to meet the challenges of a rapidly ageing population.