Social care ‘at breaking point’ with 30% rise in number waiting to be assessed

The number of people waiting to be assessed for social care is almost a third higher than it was a year ago, figures have revealed.

Labour said the increase in people waiting for an assessment showed how “Scotland’s social care system is at breaking point after years of neglect by the SNP”.

Party health spokesperson Dame Jackie Baillie hit out at the Scottish Government over the number of people “stuck in limbo” waiting for an assessment of their needs to be carried out.

She spoke out after figures from Public Health Scotland showed that, as of November 3 this year, there were 7,806 people across the country estimated to be waiting for a  social care assessment so a package of care could be put in place.

This total is 30% higher than it was on November 4 2024, Public Health Scotland added.

Meanwhile, the number of people who have been assessed but are waiting for care arrangements to be put in place increased by 1% over the year, rising from 3,275 in November 2024 to 3,309 in the last total.

Dame Jackie said that while the SNP had “pledged to renew our social care system”, ministers had instead “wasted millions of pounds on a botched Bill”, with controversial plans for a National Care Service abandoned by the Scottish Government.

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said the figures were a “stark reminder of just how badly social care has been allowed to drift”.

He stated: “Thousands of people who want to get on with their lives are stuck in hospital waiting for care packages and assessments.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said that it was “working tirelessly to improve the outcomes of people who either need or receive social care”.

The spokesperson said: “The 2025-26 budget includes over £15 billion for the local government settlement and almost £2.2 billion for social care and integration – exceeding our commitment to increase funding by 25% by almost £350 million.

“At £21.7 billion, the overall financial envelope for health and social care also reached record levels.

“We are working with the health and social care and sectors to understand the financial issues they are facing. The UK Government’s decision to raise employer’s national insurance contributions is one such challenge, costing the sector more than £84 million extra this year.

“Our priority at all times is to protect these vital services that the people of Scotland value and depend on, with local healthcare partners prioritising those with the greatest care needs.”