Scotland's policy of providing free personal care for the elderly has created a fairer system without undue extra public spending, according to an independent report. 

Despite initial fears the policy would discourage family from helping the elderly, researchers found that free services actually enabled informal carers to continue care in the home. 


Although costs have been far more than expected, this is balanced out by the fact more elderly people are able to stay at home for longer. 

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) study found free personal care at home and in residential nursing homes currently costs £140 million per year, but this is only 0.6 per cent of the Scottish budget. However, this will triple inside 50 years. 

Detractors from the policy insisted Scotland's ageing population meant other services would have to be cut to pay for care. 

There were also concerns about confusion surrounding which services are free. 

The policy, introduced in 2001, has not been extended to other parts of the UK. 

But the study, conducted by staff at the University of Stirling, said free grooming, washing and other services have particularly benefited older people with degenerative conditions. 

Alison Bowes, co-author of the paper, spoke to groups of elderly people and their relatives. 

"We found that free personal care in Scotland has promoted more 'joined-up' approaches to the care of older people, while reducing their money worries and enabling their relatives and friends to continue to provide additional informal care," she said. 

"In that way, it has helped improve the quality of life for frail, older people and improve and support their choice of care services." 

However, interviewees said there are still misunderstandings over the extent of personal care, which does not extend to "hotel costs" for food and accommodation. 

There is also concern among local authorities about interaction between care charging policies and other parts of the welfare system. 

Older people from black and ethnic minorities continue to have limited access to care services that recognise their cultural needs. 

David Manion, the chief executive of Age Concern Scotland, also said it was a success. 

"Free personal care has been a great achievement, and one to be proud of," he added. 

The study also found differences in costs across Britain are less than popularly assumed because care home residents in Scotland no longer get attendance allowance, which is provided across the rest of the UK. 

A Department of Health spokesman said there are no immediate plans to introduce free personal care in England. 

Sam Galbraith, a former health minister, said free personal care takes money from the health budget. "I know the report thinks it is a marginal cost but it is actually a lot of money in government spending terms and we want to be using it for other things," he said. 

Lewis Macdonald, the deputy health minister, said: "This policy has raised people's awareness of the help they can expect and has made them better off financially. It not only helps older people but provides peace of mind to their families and support to their carers."