28. Tayside Carers Support Project - Liaison and Collaboration Initiative
This initiative with Carseview Centre, Dundee (The Carseview Centre is the Mental Health Service Hospital for Dundee) was implemented in 2003 in order to improve communication between carers and staff at Carseview Centre, to bring about positive tangible benefits for both carers and service users.
This service is available for anyone who cares for a relative or a friend with a severe and enduring mental illness such as bi-polar or schizophrenia, severe depression, or personality disorders who live within Dundee City. The diagnosis does not have to be specific to any of those listed as any serious illness qualifies for help from this project. The criteria is that the person who is cared for has to be between the age of 18-64. Access to the services is via the Tayside Carers' Support Project.
There is ongoing fostering and commitment of senior managers to open honest communication and dialogue between service providers and carers.
Overall, all of the changes implemented are extremely beneficial for carers as well as service users. Carers are very pleased that ward activities have been reviewed because boredom can be an issue for many service users.
"The staff have been very helpful."
"Don't feel like I am bothering the nurses anymore."