Latest Care Home Statistics in Scotland
What Do the Latest Care Home Statistics Tell Us About Care in Scotland?
If you’re running or managing a care home in Scotland, staying informed on national trends is more than good practice; it’s essential for planning, funding, and ensuring your service aligns with sector needs.
The latest Care Home Statistics for Scotland (2023/24), released by Public Health Scotland, provide key insights into care home usage, demographics, and clinical needs across the country. Here’s what providers should know and how Fulcrum can support your response.
Key Insights from the 2023/24 Report
- Stable Demand – But with Shifting Needs
An estimated 49,565 people lived in a care home during 2023/24, a slight decrease (<1%) from the previous year. The majority were long-stay residents, confirming that care homes continue to play a vital role in long-term care planning.
- Older, Predominantly Female Population
Most residents were aged 85 or older, with nearly three times as many females as males in this age group. This has implications for staffing models, training, dementia care, and palliative services.
- Private Sector Still Dominates
Roughly 80% of local authority-funded residents were placed in private care homes, a consistent trend from 2022/23. This underscores the importance of private providers working closely with Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs).
- Increase in Nursing Care Needs
About 64.2% of long-stay residents received nursing care, a 0.9% increase from the previous year. Providers must ensure that governance, training, and clinical protocols meet the growing complexity of care.
- Emergency Healthcare Use Remains Significant
Between January and March 2024:
- 9% of long-stay residents had an emergency hospital admission.
- 11% attended A&E.
This highlights the importance of proactive care, risk management, and robust health monitoring in residential settings.
What Does This Mean for Care Providers?
These figures paint a clear picture: Scottish care homes are caring for older, more clinically complex residents, often in partnership with local authorities. This has real implications for:
- Staffing models
- Training and clinical competence
- Quality assurance
- Care planning and reviews
- Governance and inspection readiness
How Fulcrum Can Help
At Fulcrum Care, we support care providers across Scotland in responding to these trends with practical, sustainable solutions. Our services include:
- Mock inspections aligned to Care Inspectorate frameworks
- Quality assurance audits
- Clinical governance reviews
- Turnaround support and interim leadership
- Training on dementia, end-of-life care, and complex needs
We understand the pressures facing Scottish care homes, and we’re here to help you not just meet Care Inspectorate expectations, but to build confidence and quality across your service.
Ready to Respond to Changing Demands in Scottish Social Care?
Whether you’re adapting to a more clinical resident profile or preparing for your next CI inspection, Fulcrum is your expert partner.
Contact us today to discuss how we can support your service.