The SNP will legislate for the creation of a National Care Service within the first year of the new Scottish parliament and aim to have it fully functioning by the end of the five-year term.
In its Scottish elections manifesto, the SNP said the National Care Service would be funded by increasing public investment in social care by 25 per cent over the parliament to deliver more than £800m in increased support.
"It does not mean all care homes will be owned or run by the Scottish government, but it does mean that we will improve standards, training and pay across the board, and that there will be increased accountability for the provision of social care,” it added.
The party said it believes social care services should be provided on a truly universal basis, free at the point of use.
The SNP has already extended free personal and nursing care to everyone who needs it, regardless of age.
If re-elected after the 6 May poll, it will go further and abolish charges for non-residential care.
In addition, the party plans to strengthen residents rights in adult care homes by delivering Anne’s Law – giving nominated relatives or friends the same access rights to care homes as staff - as campaigned for by Care Homes Relatives Scotland.
It also pledged to introduce a national wage for care staff and “enter into national pay bargaining for the sector based on fair work principles for the first time”.
