Hundreds of groups have united in their calls to John Swinney

Hundreds of Scottish social care charities have united to warn of an imminent collapse of the sector. 

Speaking to the Herald on Sunday, 240 third sector groups came together to lay out the “apocalyptic” situation in social care, which could see many sick, disabled, elderly and mentally ill people left abandoned.

The groups have now signed an open letter to First Minister John Swinney which states 61% of charities providing health and social care support fear that they “will no longer be a going concern within four years”.

Signatories published in the Herald on Sunday include Age Scotland, Alzheimer Scotland, Action For ME, Adoption UK Scotland, Alcohol Focus Scotland, Carers Trust, Cerebral Palsy Scotland, Chest Heart and Strike Scotland, Children First, Diabetes UK, Dyslexia Scotland, Homeless Network Scotland, the Mental Health Foundation, MS Society, Quarriers, Marie Curie, Turning Point Scotland, and Who Cares Scotland.

The letter says: “Immediate action to address the profound crisis threatening our sector”, and says “the wellbeing and rights of Scotland’s people and the sustainability of the third sector and wider public services are at immediate risk.

“Our organisations face increasing levels of demand which simply cannot be met within available public funds. Services and support are facing severe funding cuts. Many organisations are scaling back services significantly; others are looking at the possibility of closure. The sector, and the people it supports, have been pushed to breaking point.

“Unless action is taken, the health and social care sector will be pushed over the edge of sustainability. The impact of this will be felt in communities across Scotland, including by some of our most marginalised individuals and families.

“The consequences of inaction will be felt in every community. It will increase crisis interventions, deepen inequalities, build pressures on the wider public sector and leave lasting scars on our country.”