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Support for carers
05/12/2008
Funding for carers across Scotland was announced today, marking Carers Rights Day.
Public Health Minister Shona Robison described the over 13 million pounds package of measures as a 'down payment' to increase support.
The measures include:
- A cash guarantee of £300,000 for two further national festivals exclusively for young carers. Young carers will receive annual VIP access, offering them a break from their caring role and an opportunity to tell decision makers what support will make a difference to their lives.
- An additional £4 million to help deliver 10,000 extra weeks for personalised short breaks for carers. New national guidance has also been delivered to councils to ensure local planning of short breaks meets the individual needs of carers.
- £9 million for all NHS boards across Scotland to develop Carer Information Strategies and roll out initiatives in their local area, including training events for NHS staff and carer information sessions.
Speaking on a visit to a GP practice in Dundee today to see how Practice staff work in partnership with the local carers centre to identify carers within their Practice and signpost them to local support services, Ms Robison said:
"This year has seen us put in place extra short breaks for carers, carer training, and measures to improve recognition of young carers and their needs for support.
"It is fantastic to see the progress that has already been made with the new resources that have been provided.
"The GP practice I visited in Dundee is a great example of many fantastic local initiatives which are making a difference across Scotland using the first point of contact with carers as a way of opening up a gateway to other support.
"This is a down-payment for carers and I want to make clear that we are determined to continue to better support."
Welcoming the money for local initiatives, Lucinda Godfrey, Dundee Carers Centre Manager, said:
"The successful partnership between GP surgeries and the Dundee Carers Centre has ensured that over 1,000 carers have had the information and support to cope with caring.
"It is vital that carers are aware of the information and support available to them early in their caring role. This can help protect their own health and wellbeing."
Welcoming the guarantee for the Young Carers Festival, Florence Burke, Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Director of Scotland, said:
"Often young carers also have to act as mum or dad to their brothers and sisters, leaving little or no time to get involved in other things and few opportunities to have their voice heard.
"That's why the funding of the Young Carers' Festival is such good news. It will provide an ongoing opportunity for young carers to take time out to have fun and put across their views."
£300,000 funding will be provided by the Scottish Government to run a Young Carers Festival in 2009 and 2010. Ideas and feedback from the Young Carers Festival will help shape the development of the young carers section of Scotland's revised Carers Strategy next year.
An additional £4 million funding will ensure delivery of 10,000 extra respite weeks a year by 2011. Short breaks guidance has been published by the Scottish Government, issued jointly with CoSLA, to help local authorities improve allocation of short breaks.
£9 million has been provided for NHS Carer Information Strategies. This includes £1 million for 2008/09, £3 million is planned for 2009/10 and £5 million for 2010/11.