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A review of free personal and nursing careFree personal and nursing care (FPNC) needs to be better planned, managed and funded for it to continue to benefit older people in the future.
An Audit Scotland report published today, A review of free personal and nursing care, says demand for FPNC will grow with the projected increase in the older population in Scotland.
FPNC was introduced in early 2001. The report finds that continuing ambiguities in what constitutes free personal care mean the policy has been applied inconsistently across the country. For example, eight councils charge for food preparation, whereas others do not. Older people are often unclear about what they can receive under FPNC.
Accounts Commission chairman Professor John Baillie said:
“Councils and the Scottish Government should work together as a matter of urgency to clarify the current ambiguities and ensure FPNC is consistently applied across Scotland. Councils should also provide clear information to older people about what care they are entitled to under the policy.”
The total cost of FPNC in the first four years was an estimated £1.8 billion, of which around £1.2 billion would have been spent under the previous means-tested free care system.
The report indicates that there is likely to be a growing shortfall in funding for FPNC. Audit Scotland estimates this shortfall at £46 million or £63 million for 2005/06 but states that the financial information available is limited and there are no long-term projections of the costs.
You can read the report, press release and a podcast on the Audit Scotland website.
