In political discourse, some topics receive obsessive, endless attention. Our health service, our schools. Neither, since you ask, in a notably robust condition.

Other topics tend to be relatively overlooked. Such as social care, the assistance we provide to our elderly and needy. Somehow it is the Cinderella service, with attention lavished on more demanding siblings.

That is about to change. Reform of social care is at the core of debate over the future of both council and NHS services. It currently straddles both to some degree, rather uncomfortably.

Now, there have been repeated attempts to update social care in the past. At the UK government level, there have been no fewer than 22 efforts to reform provision since Tony Blair took office in 1997. Each has become utterly stuck, bogged down by cost and complexity.

Stand by for radical reform of Scotland’s public services – starting with the NHS

Why politics will determine whether the UK is ready to 'drill, baby, drill'

This leadership contest has come too early for Scottish Labour, but change can't wait

Andy Burnham’s big ideas and the huge, yawning gap in his plans so far

For England, Andy Burnham is about to try again. He has accelerated an expert study, demanding answers by next summer. Analysts south of the Border look with envy upon Scotland's system of free personal care.

In Scotland, John Swinney wants reform of social care to lead the way in his public service revolution. The First Minister seems energised by his election victory, determined to pursue cost savings and efficiency.

But, of course, there is history here too. The SNP sought to create a National Care Service. Cross-party support evaporated as........

© Herald Scotland