Report presents opportunity for new First Minister to progress human rights incorporation

A new report commissioned by the ALLIANCE calls for the new First Minister to prioritise the incorporation of human rights legislation.

A new report commissioned by the ALLIANCE calls for Scotland’s new First Minister to prioritise the incorporation of human rights legislation into Scots law.

‘The Opportunity is Now – human rights in health and social care in Scotland: where we’ve been and the journey ahead’ – authored by branch social research on behalf of the ALLIANCE – also warns that the state of the social care sector is ‘not in a position of strength’ ahead of the proposed introduction of a National Care Service.

The research, carried out last year, interviewed experts from across the health and social care sector. With the imminent departure of the First Minister, implementation has to be high on her successor’s agenda, with the report finding that – while there is a broad coalition in Scotland on the rights agenda – the introduction of new human rights legislation was heavily reliant on Nicola Sturgeon’s tenure as First Minister. This was due to concern in the sector that there is not ‘full buy-in from the Cabinet’ and no cohesive Ministerial direction.

Elsewhere, the report details poor and precarious working conditions of both social care workers and nursing students, detailing that work-related stress, burnout and staff turnover is increasing. It concludes this brings major considerations for the proposed National Care Service reforms currently tabled in Parliament. 

Barry Black from branch social research, who is also a postgraduate researcher at the University of Glasgow said:

‘The current Scottish Government signalling of their commitment to the incorporation of human rights legislation to Scots Law is to be commended. However, the conclusions of our report warn that it may now be at risk.

Many in the sector view that its success is linked to Nicola Sturgeon’s commitment to the plans. It is unknown whether her successor will view the rights agenda as a priority, as our research found that there is not full buy-in from the Cabinet. 

Our research also concluded that the state of the health and social care sector, and its working conditions, is not a position of strength on which to launch serious structural reforms – like the National Care Service.’

Sara Redmond, Chief Officer of Development, the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) said:

‘This research offers a thorough investigation of the position and impact of the rights agenda in health and social care. 

The research makes clear that incorporation of human rights will have a significant positive impact on the sector and crucially disabled people, people with long term conditions and their unpaid carers.  However, we know that there is some way to go to ensure that implementation can happen effectively.

At a time of change, the opportunity is now for the new First Minister to seize and deliver transformational change for people in Scotland.’

Read the full report.

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