CCPS Comment on the publication of Health and Care Improving Flow Plan 2026 -2031

“The publication of the Scottish Government’s Improving Flow Plan is an important indication and a welcome recognition that Scotland needs reform across health and social care if people are to receive the support they need at the right time and in the right place.

“While the plan focuses on pressures within acute hospitals and the NHS, it leaves important questions about the role of social care still to be answered. If Scotland is serious about shifting the balance of care from hospitals into communities, social care must be recognised as a central part of the design and delivery of a solution.

“Flow is about ensuring people can access the right health and social care support when they need it; it is not simply about moving patients through hospitals. We know through our own reports that too many people continue to wait for the care and support they need in their communities. Yet the plan says very little about social care waiting times, eligibility thresholds, or how capacity within community services will be increased. Third sector organisations deliver a significant proportion of Scotland’s social care and must now be fully involved in shaping how these ambitions are translated into practice.

“The ambition for earlier discharge and discharge planning from the point of admission is welcome. Achieving this will require funding and commissioning arrangements that enable providers to maintain the capacity needed to respond quickly when people are ready to leave hospital. Current contracting approaches can make this difficult, undermining the flexibility and long-term planning required to deliver efficient and effective discharge. Equally, there is not yet a clear financial plan showing how resources will shift alongside responsibilities. With reports of the 2027-28 budget being £700m short, transparency on how funds will be allocated to meet aspirations is key.

“Although we welcome the plan’s ambition and direction, the actions set out to transform community-based support must be bolder still. The plan has the potential to make a significant difference, but only if social care and community services are empowered and resourced to play the role expected of them. Immediate actions listed do not yet address this priority, despite the government today acknowledging the instability in the social care sector.

“With the upcoming five-year Programme for Government, we look forward to seeing what plans the Scottish Government has for social care and support and as we head towards the Scottish Budget, we look forward to working with ministers, officials and partners. Our members stand ready to bring their expertise and frontline experience to help create a bolder vision for delivery of care and sport that will genuinely meet the contract with Scotland’s people articulated in today’s report.”