Plenary Session 3 - A National Care Service: Reforming the Way We Deliver Care in Scotland

10:00 - 11:00

The (COVID-19) pandemic, restricted access to social care and support services. This highlighted  areas of social care that require improvement in the future to ensure that every person has access to high quality support services regardless of where they live in Scotland.

In response, the Scottish Government commissioned the Independent Review of Adult Social Care, a key recommendation of which was a National Care Service, with accountability for adult social care sitting with Scottish Ministers, to help better deliver the improvements that can be achieved through consistent integration of health and social care.

In this session, Donna Bell, Director of Social Care and National Care Service Development, Scottish Government, Professor Graham Ellis, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Scottish Government and Professor Alex McMahon, Chief Nursing Officer will share their thoughts on the Scottish Government’s proposals for a National Care Service. These proposals are ambitious and aim to create historic change to the provision of care, putting Human rights at the heart of a new person-centred service that enables people to live fulfilled lives.

Donna Bell

Director of Social Care & NCS Development, Scottish Government


Donna is Director of Social Care and National Care Service Development at Scottish Government.

Alex McMahon

Chief Nursing Officer, Scottish Government


Alex McMahon is Chief Nursing Officer for the Scottish Government. In this role he oversees the Chief Nursing Directorate in achieving the best health and care outcomes for people.

Professor Graham Ellis

Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, Scottish Government


Professor Graham Ellis is a Geriatrician in Central Scotland and a clinician with the Hospital at Home service. He was an undergraduate in Glasgow University and has trained and worked across the West of Scotland.