National Care Service - keeping care support local part 1 – local services: regional forums - easy read findings summary

In summer 2023, we held events across Scotland as part of our work to co-design the National Care Service (NCS). The events covered different themes. This easy-read report contains feedback on the Keeping care support local part 1 – local services theme.


What local means to people

We know it is important for community health and social care to be in local areas. We wanted to understand what that meant to people.

People said these things were important to them:

  • feeling involved in the local community
  • taking part in community groups or community leisure activities
  • using services and activities that are not just social care
  • wanting better links between social care support and leisure, housing, and volunteering

We also heard that staff from local areas knew more about people’s needs and made them feel more comfortable.

Some people in small communities might want a carer from outside the community. This could help protect their privacy.

Care support organisations do not need to be local. But the carers themselves should have local knowledge.

People said there were good and bad things about support being given over the internet. These included:

  • people can be left out because of their age, disability or low income
  • it can be hard to communicate properly with people on screen
  • online services work well in some cases
  • online services can help people access services in areas where there are not enough staff

Contact

Email: NCSdesign@gov.scot

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