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Care Homes (PE522)
Item 3 is the committee's consideration of petition PE522 from Ms Carol Main on the lack of care homes for young physically handicapped people. We have received a response from the Minister for Health and Community Care to our request for an update on the Executive's scoping study. The response, which includes the research specification for the study, has been circulated to members. I seek members' comments on the paper. I expect that there are quite a few of them.
The response covers many issues. At first, I was concerned about disbanding the group at such short notice. However, I realise that the decision was consensual. After reading the research specification and finding out the scale and scope of the study, I think that it would be a good idea for us to wait until the Executive has examined the issue properly and has come back with a final report. I know that the report is far-reaching, but I am quite happy to support the recommendation to wait and see what the Executive comes back with.
Perhaps I am being a little obtuse, but I saw no significant differences in the update. I was looking for an emphasis on young people and am concerned that the study's scope still seems to be as broad as it was before. Indeed, I read through the research specification several times to see whether the inquiry's boundaries had been more narrowly defined—after all, difficulties had been experienced in that respect before—but could not find anything. I welcome other members' interpretations of the specification.
I was concerned about that issue, too, but I now agree with Sandra White that the committee should wait and consider the Executive's final report once it is published. In the meantime, members might want to take on board Shiona Baird's comments and send another letter to the Executive. However, I believe that we should consider the petition along with the final report.
Absolutely. Initially, I shared Shiona Baird's concerns about the issue of young people. We need to keep our eye on that complex matter, but the Executive has said that it wants to examine it. To begin with, I felt like Sandra White that it seemed a bit hasty to abandon the initial piece of work, but as I read the papers it seemed to make a lot of sense.
Given that the petition concentrates on the issue of provision, I am concerned that its aim is being diluted by the report's broad scope.
I take on board Shiona Baird's concerns, but I point out that the scoping study will simply identify what the Executive needs to concentrate on. I also note that a draft final report was expected at the end of January. Is it worth checking whether that is on schedule?
The Executive is still waiting for it, but I understand that it is due to be received at the end of the month.
I do not want to be particularly controversial, but, as far as Shiona Baird's remarks are concerned, I do not think that the issue is being diluted. Indeed, I am not even sure that diluting it is the wrong thing to do. If we focus too narrowly on one issue, we may miss other matters, given that the subject is complex. As the research specification points out, young disabled people have a range of needs, which we are finding in our inquiry. Focusing narrowly on the one issue that is raised in the petition might not be the right way of proceeding, although clearly the petition has helped to set the ball rolling. I do not share the concern that the issue may be diluted. It would be better to wait for the results of the research, although we should keep a close eye on the issue.
The scoping report will highlight several other issues. We need to keep our eye on the study as it develops and find out what happens next. If, as we expect, the issue of young people is highlighted, we will want to know what action is to be taken. Elaine Smith is right that the issue is wide, which is why we want to ensure that the initial work that is done is thorough.
Meeting continued in private until 10:44.
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