CARE staff in West Dunbartonshire are being encouraged to give their views on plans to create a ‘National Care Service’.

West of Scotland MSP Neil Bibby has welcomed Scottish Labour’s launching of an online consultation which encourages residents to help shape the political party’s plans to improve the system.

Mr Bibby said: “The Covid-19 crisis has demonstrated the need to ensure that care standards are raised to the highest possible quality across the country.

“There’s a real need to overhaul the broken care system which for too long has let people down.

“Unavailable social care has left people trapped in our hospitals whilst, in recent times, coronavirus has exposed and made worse other existing issues – not least in care homes where the virus has hit hardest.

“The virus has also helped us realise the need to properly support care staff and I’ve called for their pay to be increased in recognition of the heroic work they do.

“Labour wishes to engage with a variety of people and groups, trade unions and experts to develop a blueprint. I encourage anyone with experience of the care sector to take part in this survey on the future of care in Scotland.”

Visit scottishlabour.org.uk/where-we-stand/campaigns/careaboutcare/.