Almost a fifth of care homes closed in last decade, new figures show

Scottish Labour has warned social care is “at breaking point” after figures showed an almost 20% drop in the number of care homes in the past decade.

A care home census published by Public Health Scotland on Tuesday showed the number of care homes in all sectors dropped from 1,249 in 2014 to 1,020 in 2024 – a fall of 18%.

The worst fall was recorded in homes in the voluntary or not-for-profit sector, which recorded a 36% drop from 353 to 226, while the number of local authority or health board owned homes dropped by 27% in the same period.

Private homes fared better but still recorded a drop of 7%.

The number of registered places across Scotland also dropped by 6%, with the voluntary sector seeing the largest drop of 30%, compared to 12% in local authority-owned homes and the number of places in the private sector remaining fairly stable over the decade.

The occupancy percentage for homes across Scotland decreased slightly while the voluntary and council-owned care homes both dropped by 5%, with private homes remaining roughly flat.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie urged the Scottish Government to drop its proposed National Care Service Bill in response to the figures.

“Social care in Scotland is at breaking point, but the SNP is wasting time, energy and money pursuing its doomed vanity project,” she said.

“Care homes are collapsing but community services aren’t equipped to fill the gap, leaving thousands of Scots stuck in limbo waiting for care.

“Social care workers and people who rely on care services are suffering as a result of this crisis, but they have been forgotten in the SNP’s plans.

“The SNP must stop burying its head in the sand and listen to the experts warning that they are on the wrong track.

“More bureaucracy and centralisation won’t improve the care Scots receive.

“We urgently need a real plan to support social care workers and boost overstretched services.”

The national care service has recently lost support from local authority body Cosla, which was due to be a key partner, while trade unions had already pulled support.

The Scottish Government, however, remains committed to the proposals.

The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.