A Lothian MSP has called for the resignation of Edinburgh’s care chief after a damning report blamed significant management failings for vulnerable people and carers “not receiving services at the right time or place.”
The Care Inspectorate report into Edinburgh’s adult social work and social care services published today (March 21) said there had been “insufficient strategic leadership and management oversight of key processes, meeting legislative requirements, policies, procedures and guidance.”
Services are overseen by the Integration Joint Board (IJB) which works with the City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian, and the report identified problems with ensuring “sufficient capacity and capability to deliver safe and effective services for vulnerable people.”
It also noted the pace of change “was generally slow.”
Lothian Scottish Conservative MSP Sue Webber said, “Throughout my five years on the IJB, my colleagues and I repeatedly raised concerns about the quality of care being offered in Edinburgh and just as often those concerns were dismissed.
“The chief executive Judith Proctor has had long enough to put a proper improvement plan in place, but this report is as damning of a lackadaisical management culture as it’s possible to be. Vulnerable people and hard-working staff are being let down and enough is enough.
“The City of Edinburgh Council’s chief executive must also shoulder responsibility too, and perhaps it is time for a complete clear-out because we simply cannot rely on current management to implement essential reforms the Care Inspectorate is calling for.
“But change needs to go further. The continued underfunding of local authorities by the Scottish Government means that delivering services is a constant battle to scrimp and save to make ends meet, and the plan to throw £1.9bn at a replacement national care service is just throwing money bat bureaucrats when this report is yet another illustration of where the greatest need lies.
The Care Inspectorate will discuss improvements with the Integration Joint Board, which manages the partnership between Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian, after its inspection of Edinburgh’s adult social work and social care services uncovered “structural weaknesses in the planning and delivery of services in the health, social work and social care system.”
Care Inspectorate Executive Director of Scrutiny and Assurance, Kevin Mitchell, said: “Inspectors found significant areas for improvement in adult social work and social care services in the City of Edinburgh. Prioritised actions will be required to ensure the needs of people and carers are met, and their wellbeing improved, more consistently.