Jackie Baillie, MSP, visited Carr Gomm to discuss how to improve social care across Scotland.
At Carr Gomm, we are constantly striving to make things better for both the people we support and our staff. As part of this mission, Carr Gomm meets with people from across the sector, to tell our stories, share our successes and push for change.
On October 1st, 2024, Lucy Wren, Chief Executive Officer and Andrew Thomson, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, welcomed Jackie Baillie, MSP, to our head office to discuss some of the most critical issues impacting health and social care across Scotland. From delayed discharge to pay parity, this conversation highlighted our ongoing commitment to improving both the working conditions of our staff and the quality of care we provide.
Tackling Delayed Discharge: Learning from What Works
Delayed discharge continues to be a major challenge in Scotland, with recent reports showing the highest numbers on record. During the conversation, we shared how Carr Gomm’s approach in Argyll & Bute—incorporating 24-hour responders and mobile homecare—has led to some of the best delayed discharge statistics in the country. Despite the geographical challenges of the region, our person-centred approach has proven that with the right support, individuals can return home from hospital sooner, reducing the pressure on NHS services.
Rethinking Commissioning for Better Care
One of the key barriers we face in delivering high-quality care is the current competitive tendering system. Delays in the tendering process and strict funding models that allocate resources by the hour are limiting our ability to recruit and retain staff. We shared with Jackie Baillie, MSP, how more collaborative and ethical commissioning practices, such as those seen in Dundee, have resulted in better outcomes for those we support. It’s clear that if local authorities move away from rigid and competitive tendering systems, social care providers like Carr Gomm can deliver more effective, flexible support.
Pay Parity: Valuing Our Staff
Our staff are our greatest asset, yet pay limitations are hindering our ability to recruit and retain the people who make our services possible. We discussed the direct competition we face from other industries, such as hospitality, particularly in areas like Oban. Carr Gomm emphasised the importance of raising wages in social care to ensure fair compensation for the crucial work our teams do.
At Carr Gomm, we believe that pay parity is not just about recruitment—it’s about raising the status of social care as a respected and valued profession.
The National Care Service: Frustration and Hope
Finally, we expressed our concerns about the National Care Service Bill. What began with the promise of meaningful reform through the Feeley Review has led to disillusionment due to a lack of clarity and direction. We urged for more concrete steps to be taken in shaping this Bill to ensure it addresses the real needs of both social care providers and those we support.
Looking Ahead: A Call for Greater Understanding
As the discussion wrapped up, Jackie Baillie asked what key message Carr Gomm would like to share. For us, it’s simple: there needs to be a greater understanding of the issues facing both healthcare and social care. Solutions exist, but they require collaboration and a willingness to move beyond outdated systems and approaches. Carr Gomm and the people we support are not broken, people are enabled to live their best possible lives with our support.
We remain hopeful that with continued advocacy and engagement with policymakers, the changes needed to improve Scotland’s health and social care landscape are within reach.
We wish to thank Jackie Baillie, MSP, for taking the time to visit Carr Gomm and discuss these important issues.
Learn more about how Carr Gomm is influencing change here.
