Gray pledges £20m to boost social care capacity as he sets out NHS winter plan

The Health Secretary has announced £20 million to boost social care capacity.

Neil Gray confirmed the funding during a statement at Holyrood outlining his plans to deal with winter pressures facing the NHS.

He also said 290 ambulance staff will be recruited this financial year, although it is not clear how many workers have been taken on since April.

The £20 million will be targeted at initiatives by health boards to increase social care capacity and provide extra support at A&Es with the aim of reducing admissions and relieving pressure on acute services.

Mr Gray also warned of the potential impact of the flu virus this winter, saying evidence suggests an early and potentially difficult flu season.

He urged everyone eligible to get their vaccination, particularly children and young people who can transmit the virus to vulnerable family members and friends.

He said NHS 24 calls will now be dealt with more efficiently after the creation of a call centre system backed by a £5 million investment.

More than 90% of callers triaged by NHS 24 as needing an ambulance response now have their call information transferred and referred digitally, the Government said, which “removes repetitive stages of the call process and significantly speeds up the process for patients”.

The Health Secretary has also directed health boards to undertake a new approach, working together to plan digital care and business systems, and make best use of available capacity for orthopaedic elective services – ensuring patients receive the care they need as soon as possible.

Brian Whittle, the Conservative public health spokesman, said the Government’s plan will not be enough to cope with winter pressures.

He told Holyrood: “Our NHS is heading into the toughest winter it’s ever faced, and this so-called ‘plan’ isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.

“Neil Gray has had months to prepare, but instead of putting a credible strategy in place to get our health service through the difficult months ahead, he’s churned out more waffle that will do little to help frontline staff or patients.

“We’re facing the worst flu outbreak in years, but while the SNP Health Secretary lectures people to get vaccinated, many Scots are being told they won’t get their jabs until December.

“That’s far too late – just like Neil Gray’s sticking plaster plan.”

Mr Gray said: “We know pressure on the system exacerbates over winter and I am determined to ensure that pressure is relieved as much as possible. We have been preparing plans for this winter season throughout the past year with NHS boards and local authorities.

“Our investment of £20 million will be crucial in our efforts to bolster social care capacity, reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and ensure people receive the right care in the most appropriate setting.

“A key part of our winter response is prevention and our national flu vaccination programme is well under way. Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect our own health and those around us – with flu cases rising and initial evidence suggesting this may be an early and potentially difficult flu season, I urge all those who are eligible to get vaccinated.

“We have significantly increased Scottish Ambulance Service staffing and we are investing in capacity in our NHS 24 call centres so that people are getting the right support quickly and when they need it.

“Our dedicated health and social care staff are the cornerstone of our winter response every year – they will continue to work tirelessly in the coming months to provide excellent care, and I thank them for their outstanding efforts.”