The First Minister has pledged to consult on legislation to establish a National Care Service in Scotland.
Setting out her priorities for government, Nicola Sturgeon said the consultation will begin in the next hundred days, with the aim of introducing legislation in the first year of parliament.
She added that service is planned to be operational by the end of this parliament, as one of its “most important and enduring legacies”.
The pledge comes after the Scottish National Party said in its election manifesto that it would take forward recommendations of the independent Feeley review and establish a National Care Service in the next parliamentary term.
The National Care Service is set to oversee the delivery of care, improve standards, ensure enhanced pay and conditions for workers and provide better support for unpaid carers.
Speaking in the Chamber last week, the First Minister said: “The plans I have set out are unashamedly ambitious. We will tackle the COVID crisis as our immediate priority. We will lead by example in addressing the climate crisis. We will create a National Care Service, to match the post-war National Health Service. We will widen opportunities for young people.
“We will build a modern, high-tech economy, while staying true to enduring values of fairness and compassion. We will seek a better politics. And we will put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands.
“Our programme is rooted in today’s reality. But it also shows the way to a brighter tomorrow.”
Ahead of her party’s re-election the SNP leader also promised to introduce a National Wage for care staff and enter into national pay bargaining for the sector, based on “fair work principles” for the first time.
