Council impose fees as 'health and social care emergency' declared

The roll-out of contentious new care charges in East Renfrewshire has been agreed as the council became one of the first in Scotland to declare a health and social care emergency.

- DREW SANDELANDS, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

Means-tested £20 per hour fees for nonresidential care - which covers activities like help with shopping, housework or travel - will now be introduced.

Councillors had twice deferred making a decision on the proposed charges, amid opposition from families and carers. Health chiefs warned of even more severe consequences if the plan did not go ahead.

Before approving the charges, councillors declared a health and social care emergency in East Renfrewshire. It comes as the area's health and social care partnership (HSCP) faces an estimated £27 million funding gap over the next four years.

Perth & Kinross Council declared an emergency on Wednesday while Stirling Council was due to consider a similar move.

Charging for nonresidential care is set to raise £1.5m.

It is estimated around 500 people would have to pay the new fees.

Over 1800 people signed a petition calling for the charges to be stopped as families voiced concerns over the impact on their loved one. It is feared the fees will lead to further social isolation among the elderly and disabled.