Warm welcome for care climbdown

Campaigners who have been pushing for the introduction of free care for all elderly people in Scotland have welcomed news that proposals for its introduction are to be prepared.

The Scottish Executive was forced to announce to its change of stance to a packed Scottish Parliament after being faced with a backbench revolt.

Help the Aged Scotland hailed the move as a "major step forward" in caring for older people.

Liz Duncan, the charity's Scottish executive, said: "The Executive statement is good news for the older people of Scotland and for generations to come.

"The introduction of free personal care for older people ensures that the financial burden of care costs will be eased.

"Finally, the consensus in Scotland has been shown to hold sway. It raises standards clearly and irrefutably in Scotland and the rest of the UK should endeavour to follow suit."

Maureen O'Neill, director of Age Concern Scotland, called on health minister, Susan Deacon, to ensure the proposals were implemented as quickly as possible.

She said: "We are delighted that the Scottish Executive has made a firm commitment to introduce free personal care in Scotland.

"The expert Development Group will have to work hard and fast to come up with a firm, coherent strategy and clear timescale for the introduction of free personal care."

The British Medical Association described the sudden move as "a victory for our senior citizens".

Dr John Garner, chairman of the BMA's Scottish council, said: "I am delighted that the Scottish Parliament has rallied to the cause of free nursing and personal care for all.

"The Executive should be complemented for their willingness to respond to the democratically expressed will of the people and recognise the consensus in the Scottish Parliament and in the wider country.

"Today is a victory for our senior citizens, for parliamentary democracy and for Scotland as a whole."

Jim Jackson, chief executive of Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia, welcomed the news.

He said: "Clearly the Executive is going well down the road to implementing the Sutherland recommendations.

"Given the tenor of debate today and yesterday, I doubt whether it would dare to stop far short of those recommendations.

"There seems to be no going back, but it's up to the Executive to bring forward proposals and I think we will all be expecting implementation of free care for all people in 2002, following the passage of the Long Term Care bill.

"Yesterday, we think, they made major concessions particularly for people with dementia and also in at last breaking the false distinction between nursing and personal care.

"Now they seem set on a course to deliver free care to all groups who are dependent on community care services."

But Mr Jackson added: "We will be looking very closely at the detailed small print and to see if it is followed up by the Executive in the months to come."