Independent Review of NHS Continuing Healthcare

1. Foreword

Dear Cabinet Secretary

We have pleasure in submitting the report of the Independent Panel on NHS Continuing Healthcare (NHS CHC).

Throughout the months of our inquiry and in the preparation of this report we have been privileged to have received information, advice and comment from a wide range of individuals who have given generously of their time and expertise. We owe them individually and collectively a great debt of gratitude.

Scotland is blessed with an impressive number of dedicated and highly skilled professionals in health and social care, in Local Authorities, and in private and voluntary organisations. They share a common aim to provide the best possible care to those in need and in their charge.

We do not claim to have solved every challenge which we identified in the course of our study but we do hope that our work and recommendations will make a contribution to an equitable, compassionate, accessible and sustainable system to go forwards to meet both the current and future needs of the people of Scotland.

We are very aware of the particular challenges faced by those individuals under the age of 65 who fall outwith the eligibility of free personal and nursing care. We are pleased that you brought this to public attention in the media in December 2013. We consider that although outwith our remit that further work in that area requires to be done.

We commend our report and its recommendations for your consideration.

Yours sincerely

The Panel