New research undertaken by Ipsos Mori on behalf of the Scottish Government has painted a worrying picture for the future of social care.
The research highlights that 1 in 10 workers in adult social care and child care are non-UK EU nationals, with the figure even higher in nursing. Whilst the research found the current impact to be limited, it emphasises the negative consequences for the future if these workers choose to leave Scotland after Brexit.
Responding to the research, Scottish Care CEO Dr Donald Macaskill said:
“We welcome the Ipsos Mori findings but we believe they provide a conservative estimate of the current situation. We have been calling for a commitment to clarity but political events of the last few days are further indication that we aren’t getting that.
“We agree that there is a particular challenge facing nurses with a 31 per cent vacancy rate for nurses in care homes. The lack of commitment to put in place a flexible migration system which prioritises the real gaps in social care is causing us profound concern.
“The impact is not just on EU nationals, but the general negative political climate around migration is putting off non-EU workers too. The consequences of this political gamesmanship over Brexit are going to leave some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland stuck in hospitals because there will not be enough people in the community to care for them.
“When all the politicians fall silent, we will have a social care system in tatters.”
For more information, see: www.heraldscotland.com/news/16343645.warning-that-care-workers-could-quit-scotland-after-brexit-leaving-system-in-tatters/
