Scottish authorities may be forced to scrap universal free elderly health care due to spiraling costs. A recent report by Scottish Parliament found that free elderly health care had risen to £358m a year. Care for those who paid to be in residential care rose above £100m a year, while in home care almost doubled to £257m.
The Scottish service helps 50,000 of the most vulnerable elderly people. Spending cuts mean the policy may have to become means-tested as a result of spiraling costs, which rose overall by 11 per cent in 2009. The authorities are questioning whether the policy in the medium and longer term is viable.
Long term care: News update: 30 November 2009
