Friday June 5th 2026
[photpo_sc cap=”West Lothian Council headquarters”]
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
A plan to help the thousands of people who care for others in West Lothian has been welcomed by councillors.
But the potential costs and growing need for complex care has caused doubt whether ideals can be achieved.
With more than 22,000 unpaid carers in the county there are fears that a new a three year improvement programme that looks good on paper cannot be achieved unless more funding is provided.
And senior health care managers say that there is little prospect of that on the horizon.
Addressing a meeting of the Social Work and Health Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel (PDSP) Karen Love, a senior manager for adult services revealed key priorities for the future include improved health and well-being support for carers, awareness of rights and income maximisation.
Young carers consulted in the preparation of the new plan welcomed the commitment to access to meaningful breaks and greater support.
The plan also makes a commitment to wider digital inclusion on the growing use of technology to help improve care.
A report to council outlined the work it has already carried out including:-
An increase in Adult Carer Support Plans from 247 on 2023 to 307 in 2026;
– An increase in Young Carers Statements undertaken from 2 in 2023 to 46 in 2026;
– 916 “Time to Live” grants issued by Cares of West Lothian (carers centre) to have a break from their caring role;
– 2,257 individuals have had an income maximisation check ensuring that they were able to access relevant benefits.
In her report Ms Love said: “In planning for drafting the strategy, a range of engagement and consultation was progressed with those with lived and living experience.
She also acknowledged the delivering the new strategy faced a number of risks. “These include the impact of current and forecast financial constraints across public services, which could limit the ability to sustain or expand support for carers.
“Increasing demand due to demographic changes, particularly an ageing population and rising levels of complex care needs, may increase reliance on carers who often face stress, financial strain and their own health issues and may lead to carer breakdown.
“Additional constraints could include policy and legislative changes at national level without adequate funding from the Scottish Government.”
The council is working with Carers of West Lothian and the Third sector group Voluntary Sector Gateway to improve care standards across the county.
Councillor Danny Logue, Labour, who experienced problems with care delivery at first hand for his late wife, told the meeting: “It’s a great paper. In an ideal world we would deliver this day in day out. It is all the things I would like to see and so would everybody else and carers would as well but the key factor is that it is always down to finances and the staff to help with it Even the key priorities there is an awful lot of work in that especially with things like hospital discharge there is so much work that has to be out into this. That costs money.”
“Trying to fund these things within existing budgets is impossible and that’s what I’m afraid of. The key point is, is it deliverable because of the lack of money.”
Chair of the committee, Councillor Ann McMillan said: “I think it’s a great paper. The strategy is an important reflection of our shared priorities. The important thing is we‘ve identified things that need changing hopefully for the better and we cannot change it unless we have a strategy so thank you.”
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