National Care Service chaos

GMB slams delay as 'squandered opportunity to ease crisis

- VIVIENNE AITKEN

THE flagship National Care Service for the elderly has been thrown into chaos after four out of five workers voted to oppose the plans.

The GMB union, which represents the majority of care workers in Scotland, claims delays and a lack of detail have turned workers against the SNP government plans.

A ballot of care workers saw 79 per cent voting to withdraw support for the National Care Service Nicola Sturgeon's legacy project - as it is still not in place after years of planning and millions spent.

Yesterday, the union wrote to Health Secretary Neil Gray and Minister for Social Care Maree Todd to notify them of the decision.

GMB Scotland secretary Louise Gilmour told the Daily Record the service could have helped ease the crisis in social care but the opportunity has been "squandered".

She said: "We have spent years helping plan this new care service but it is clear we have been wasting our time and resources.