Newly appointed Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf has been urged to postpone implementation of the National Care Service.

In a YouTube message, Parklands Care Homes managing director Ron Taylor said the new body could help “eliminate inconsistency in the delivery of care” but called for a 12-month postponement of the plans.

A Bill for the legislation was delayed in March until June following Nicola Sturgeon’s decision to stand down as first minister.

Taylor said: “I think the amount of money that’s currently being spent on that [the National Care Service] should be hitting the frontline services immediately.”

You can watch Taylor’s full video message by clicking here.

Renaissance Care executive chairman Robert Kilgour made a similar call for the new first minister to delay the plans in the run up to the election last week.

Scottish Conservatives shadow minister for social care Craig Hoy MSP went one step further by demanding the first minister abandon the plans altogether.

“Humza Yousaf must swallow his pride and ditch – rather than merely delay – his plans for an unaffordable and centralised National Care Service,” Hoy said.

“As health secretary, he unveiled this policy, which has been opposed by virtually every stakeholder.

“But, rather than doubling down on squandering £1.3billion on an unpopular and doomed venture,

Humza Yousaf should divert all available resources to Scotland’s councils, who are far better equipped than SNP ministers to determine the local care needs in their communities.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “The Scottish government is working closely with partners to reduce delays and get people the most suitable place for their care, has helped deliver two pay rises for social care staff in two years, and is continuing work to improve Fair Work principles, leading to better terms and conditions.

“As the first minister said yesterday, we will protect and reform our NHS, social care and other vital services.”