Labour set to take stock of elderly care

SCOTTISH Labour leader Iain Gray today unveiled a panel of independent experts to help the party draw up plans for its proposed national care service.

Billed as the most ambitious reform of elderly care in Scotland since the creation of the NHS, the new service is intended to ensure national standards of care for older people and end the "postcode lottery".

Mr Gray said: "Just as our predecessors rose to the challenge of the last century and created the NHS, we must rise to the challenge of the twenty-first century and ensure our elderly and disabled citizens receive the social care they need."

Sir John Arbuthnott, who will chair the panel, said: "This is one of the greatest challenges facing society in coming years. It is time to revisit the way in which the balance of treatment, care and wellbeing is provided to best effect."