Iain Gray today welcomed the Health Secretary‘s assurance the buck stops with her over the care home crisis, but said it was vital the Scottish government now put its money where its  mouth is and is prepared to underwrite potential cost to councils and reverse cuts to the care home inspectorate.

Iain Gray MSP said:

“The Health Secretary has called this matter ‘a sacred duty’ and for her ‘a personal crusade’.  She has accepted that the buck stops with her. But we all have to put our money where our mouth is.  We should underwrite the cost of local authorities stepping in should Southern Cross fail.

"And we should reverse the cuts in the inspectorate so they can ensure the quality of care in the light of cuts at Southern Cross. The First Minister must give families of residents that reassurance.

“After I raised the issue of crisis in care services last week it was good to hear the Deputy First Minister take personal responsibility.  The First Minister now has to set out what the government’s plan is for residents in Southern Cross care homes if that company collapses.

“The First Minister has also criticised the private provision of care. If these care homes face closure surely the best plan would be for local authorities to take over the running of them to ensure continuity of care. 

“Alex Salmond  must give certainty to concerned residents and relatives right now by committing to that and promising councils the resources to do it – if needed.

“Even if Southern Cross survives, yesterday they announced staff cuts – maybe as many as 3-400 in Scotland.  These homes will need careful and constant inspection to ensure care is not compromised by those cuts.

“Last week I asked the First Minister to reverse his 25 per cent cut in the inspectorate.  This news makes that even more important that he reinstates the budget of the care inspectorate.”

9 June 2011