MSPS will today call for charities and voluntary organisations to play a greater role in caring for elderly and disabled people following the planned merger of some NHS and council services.
Holyrood's cross-party health committee back legislation to integrate health and adult social care in a report out today.
But in a series of recommendations, MSPs urge Health Secretary Alex Neil to consider strengthening the involvement of third- sector bodies in the process.
MSPs also call for greater clarity about staff issues arising from plans to bring NHS and council professionals together, and suggest that carers' organisation should be given a bigger say in the development of new-look integrated services.
They also warn of "cost creep" for taxpayers, if previously means-tested council services are in future provided free as part of the NHS. Committee convener Duncan McNeil said: "We already know that where integrated health and social care is successful it results in better outcomes for patients.
"The quality of care for patients improves, people are not unnecessarily delayed in hospital and patients are supported to live a comfortable life in their own home.
"However, integrating different organisations with different cultures is never going to be simple.
"Whilst this committee supports the principle behind this legislation, there are a number of issues that need to be addressed for this legislation to deliver the outcomes it promises".
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