Recent Public Health Scotland figures show there are currently more than 5,000 Scots waiting for a social care assessment and the number of people waiting for an NHS care package at home has increased. 

According to the latest data released by Public Health Scotland, since the start of October this year,  the number of people estimated to be waiting on a social care assessment to enable them to live independently at home or in the community was 5,987. 

The estimated number of people assessed and waiting for a care at home package has also increased. Since the start of October, the number of people was 3,220. This is compared to 3,197 on 5 August 2024. 

The Scottish Conservatives have named the figures a “shameful situation” which has been as a result of “SNP gross mismanagement”. 

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The new figures come after the Scottish Greens announced they would be withdrawing their support of the SNP’s National Care Service bill which aims to transfer responsibility for social care away from councils to a new national body.

Without the Greens support, this could result in the Scottish Government being unable to pass the bill through Holyrood next year, despite £30 million already being spent on the plans. 

Last week, the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) exclusively told The Herald the blame for record high delayed discharge in Scotland lies “squarely at the door” of the Scottish Government’s due to “delay and dither” over promises for social care. 

Commenting on the most recent figures on social care, Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP, Scottish Conservative shadow cabinet secretary for health, said: “Thousands of Scots are stuck in limbo rather than being back at home or getting the care they need as a matter of urgency.

“SNP ministers who are disconnected from the needs of those relying on social care packages, have instead squandered tens of millions on reckless plans for a National Care Service that are now dead in the water.

“With the Greens belatedly realising a centralised care service would never work, the SNP should show some common sense and ditch the plans once and for all. The money they have earmarked for it should then be diverted towards tackling these unacceptable delays, which are impacting far too many patients.”

In December last year, the Scottish Government announced that it would be pushing back the launch date of the National Care Service from 2026 to 2029 as potential costs have doubled. 

The Scottish Government has invested £2 billion of funding for social care support this year which they say is delivering on their commitment to increase spending in this area by 25% by 2026. 

Social Care Minister Maree Todd said: “These statistics show the fewest amount of people waiting for a social care support assessment this year – a reduction of 12% since January.

“We will continue working with local health and social care partnerships – who have responsibility to make sure people are offered the right care and support in the right place, at the right time.

“A National Care Service will ensure consistency of care across Scotland.”