Holyrood told disabled ‘not here to exist’

A CHARITY supporting people with health complications has warned the Scottish Government that disabled people in the Lothians are not here “simply to exist”.

Speaking after Holyrood unveiled plans for changing various services, the Long Term Conditions Alliance in Scotland said the trend in cutbacks was hugely worrying.

People with chronic health concerns and their carers are already being squeezed by local authority austerity, the organisation said, and it warned of further problems if NHS budgets are reduced.

Chief executive Ian Welsh said: “Pressure on NHS services is increasing but it is in social care that we are already seeing major issues.

“It fails to recognise the rights of people to do more than simply exist, as well as neglecting – at significant cost – the expertise, skills and contribution that individuals have to make.”