POLICY: Scottish Government Health and Social Care Strategy for Older People

The RCN welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the proposed Strategy for Older People. Our submission is based upon the views of RCN members, expressed during a dedicated RCN engagement event in May 2022, alongside professional practice expertise that exists within the RCN.

With the highest proportion of nurses caring for adults including older people, the RCN expects this perspective is taken into consideration to ensure the Strategy will effectively contribute to reducing health inequalities. RCN Scotland broadly agreed with the priorities outlined in the consultation but emphasised the need to acknowledge the impact of funding and workforce issues on any future strategy. There is also a need to increase the value of caring, make gerontological nursing a more attractive career and improve pay, good working conditions and training to enable staff to better support older people.