National Care Service: business and regulatory impact assessment

Implementation and delivery plan

The Bill has been introduced in June 2022. Subject to completing the Parliamentary process, we expect it to become an Act in Summer 2023. Scottish Ministers have committed to establishing a functioning NCS by the end of the current Parliamentary term in 2026. As set out earlier in this BRIA, it will be important to design and deliver the NCS together with people who access care and support and with people who work in the system and key aspects of the new system will be co-designed with them. A cross-Government programme has already been put in place to develop robust plans for delivery of the NCS, including further consultation, engagement and co-design with people with lived experience and other partners and stakeholders. Subject to the final shape of the Bill when it has completed this Parliamentary process, this programme will also oversee delivery of the plans to establish the NCS.

The provisions of Anne's Law empower Scottish Ministers to issue Directions to care homes regarding their visiting arrangements and a draft set of Directions will accompany the legislation as it progresses through the Parliament. This will allow any comments to be taken into account quickly and for a set of Directions to be issued as soon as is practicable after the completion of the parliamentary process.