Friday October 9th 2026
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Health chiefs have vowed to fight any move to cut care packages to critical care only in Midlothian.
The county’s chief social worker has said the saving to the cash-strapped health and social care partnership would by less than two per cent if the change was made while vulnerable residents faced losing their independence and having to go into hospital or a care home when they could previously have stayed at home.
A meeting of Midlothian Integration Joint Board this week heard that a review of packages provided at the moment which cover critical and substantial risk requirements had suggested the long term outcome for those receiving them if eligibility was changed would be harmful.
Mr Clater said the review found more than 70 per cent would face increased risk if care was restricted to critical only.
He said three out of four would lose their independence while two thirds faced deterioration of their physical health and over half would be at risk of deteriorating mental health and increased social isolation.
His report added: “Other potential consequences included safeguarding concerns, increased hospital admission, emergency service demand, carer breakdown, increased reliance on more intensive or restrictive services.”
He said restricting eligibility for care packages to critical only could save an estimated £350,000 a year but that was just 1.7 per cent of the budget.
He said: “I would not recommend moving to critical care only moving forward.”
Outgoing chief officer for the IJB Morag Barrow said any change would be decided by Midlothian Council but while other local authorities had already made the move she would not be recommending it and backed Mr Clater’s position.
She told the meeting: “This is about the safety. It might give us a saving in the short term but the risk is significant in terms of people’s care and flies in the face of what we want to promote.
“Some authorities across Scotland have moved to critical with the reported benefits minimal. I am not supportive as the financial benefit does not outweigh the risks.”
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