UNITE called for “massive investment” in to tackle the crisis Scottish health and social care today after a finance watchdog warned that services “can’t be sustained” without a “radical” overhaul.

The union has renewed its calls for a spending boost in the sector after the Accounts Commission reported that across Scotland, Integrated Joint Boards (IJB), which oversee health and social care on behalf of councils and NHS boards, faced dwindling reserves as they attempt to bridge a gap of almost £450 million between their funding and demand for services such as home care and community mental health support.

Warning that many IJBs could be financially unsustainable within the next two years, the Accounts Commission’s Malcolm Bell said: “The cost of delivering services is rising faster than available funding.

“Tackling this could include difficult decisions about redesigning or reducing services, and whether new or additional charges need to be made.

“But without radical change the services delivered by IJBs can’t be sustained.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the report “starkly spells out that deep cuts are already under way.”

James O’Connell, the union’s lead officer for NHS workers in Scotland, said: “Workers on the front line have been clearly saying for years that they are at breaking point due to cuts, understaffing, rising demand and the growing complexity of services required for users.”

Warning that funding in the latest Scottish Budget is set to fall short of the £750m investment called for by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), Unite lead officer for social care in Scotland, Shauna Wright, said: “The Scottish government might have given some extra money which can be used by local government to fund the real living wage for social care workers.

“That doesn’t come close to meeting our demand of pay parity for all social care workers. Massive levels of investment are needed but the Scottish government continue to offer scraps from the Budget table. The sector is in crisis.”

Responding to the report, Social Care Minister Tom Arthur said: “We recognise the financial pressures facing the health and social care sector and remain committed to meaningful reform.”

“Through the national care service programme and the delivery of the service renewal framework, we are taking practical steps towards our vision of a Scotland where people live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives.”