“POTENTIALLY devastating” cuts to social care risk the quality of life for the most vulnerable in some of Scotland’s poorest communities, the GMB says.

In its budget consultation, the North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership (NAHSCP) warned that increasing demand has led to an overspend of £5 million this year and a projected deficit of £17m in the year ahead.

The union has warned that this could spell swingeing cuts to support for people with disabilities, mental health and addiction issues, as well as elderly care in an area which already has 52 of the most deprived communities in Scotland and the lowest life expectancy in the country at just 52.

Not only hitting out at the cuts plans, but the decision to consult over the festive period, GMB Scotland organiser Howard Wilkin said: “These threatened cuts risk the quality of life for some of our most vulnerable residents and demand proper debate and discussion.

“The people of North Ayrshire deserve honesty and the chance to properly understand the scale and potentially devastating impact of the cuts being considered.”

Calling for the consultation to be extended to allow time to formulate plans to protect services, he added.

“A country is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable people and by that standard the failure of ministers to properly fund and protect these support services is beyond the pale.

“Whether they need cared for at home, or help with a disability, poor mental health, or child poverty, we cannot cut away the safety nets.”

NAHSCP director Caroline Cameron said: “Unfortunately, an unprecedented increase in demand for our services, and the fact that funding has not increased in line with additional demand, means that reductions to services are inevitable. This is a position being faced not just by NAHSCP, but by health and social care partnerships nationally.

“The partnership’s consultation was designed to encourage open, frank and honest conversations with North Ayrshire residents around the challenges being faced.”

North Ayrshire Council and Ayrshire and Arran Health Board were contacted for comment.