A BID to create a dedicated 'commissioner for older people' in Scotland is to be brought forward at Holyrood by a South Scotland MSP.

Labour's Colin Smyth wants to see Scotland follow in the footsteps of Wales and Northern Ireland, where similar roles already exist.

Mr Smyth also pointed out that children and young people already have dedicated commissioners representing their interests in all four nations of the UK - and wants to see an equivalent created for Scotland's older residents.

He said: "Covid-19 had a profound impact on all our lives but for older people it was just devastating.

“Even now I get so many cases every day from constituents whose older relatives are stuck in hospital because we don’t have enough carers and suitable housing for them to go home to.

“I think we will look back on that dark period with a sense of shame at the way so many older people were let down.

"I kept asking myself that when all the big decisions were being made, who, independent of Government but with the ear of Ministers, was championing the human rights of older people and making sure their voice, their views were being listened to."

He added: "Just recently the Scottish Parliament appointed a new fantastic Children’s Commissioner for Scotland, a post all four nations in the UK have.

"No one would dream of now asking, ‘do we need that position?’. But that’s what happens when you raise the idea of an older people’s commissioner in Scotland with the Scottish Government.

“We have older people’s xommissioners in Wales and Northern Ireland now doing a great job, and a big campaign for one in England. Why should older people in Scotland be any different?

“It’s not just about standing up for the rights, services and care of older people, it’s about challenging the negative stereotypes of ageing and celebrating the immense positive contribution of those in later life, such as older workers. That’s never been more important as businesses are crying out for workers.

“Our older people are an incredibly valuable asset for our country, but far too often they are unappreciated. I want to see that change.”

Mr Smyth now plans to launch a public consultation on his proposals at the end this month.

The consultation would last for three months, and he hopes to bring forward a Member's Bill at the Scottish Parliament by the end of the year.

The role of the Commissioner would be:

  • Raising awareness of the interests of older people in Scotland and of the need to safeguard those interests.
  • Promoting the provision of opportunities for, and the elimination of discrimination against, older people in Scotland.
  • Encouraging best practice in the treatment of older people in Scotland.
  • Keeping under review the adequacy and effectiveness of law affecting the interests of older people in Scotland.

The Commissioner would also have the power to carry out investigations into how services provide for older people.

Scotland had a 'minister for older people and equalities' from June 2018 until March of this year - a jnuior ministerial post which was held throughout its lifespan by the SNP's Christina McKelvie.

In March, as part of new First Minister Humza Yousaf's restructure of his ministerial team, the role became part of a wider 'minister for equalities, migration and refugees' post - now held by Ms McKelvie's SNP colleague Emma Roddick, but still a junior ministerial role.

Ms Roddick's responsibilities in the expanded post include "mainstreaming of equality and human rights; diversity, inclusion and equalities, including disability, older people, women, gender, LGBTI and race, including Gypsy/Traveller community; social isolation and loneliness strategy; faith and belief; population and migration; New Scots strategy; refugees and asylum seekers; [and] displaced peoples".

However, the roles of children and young people's commissioner in Scotland, and of commissioner for older people in Northern Ireland and Wales, are independent of government.