More Help For Carers in Forth Valley

More help is on the way for carers thanks to a new resource pack. Launched on the 9th August 2012 by Minister for Public Health, Michael Matheson, it will contain information which will assist GPs to identify carers, and direct them to practical and financial information and support. It also provides details about the importance of referring carers to services such as social services and their local carers centre.

During the launch, which was held at Slamannan Health Centre, the Minister met members of the Slamannan Carers Group, who work directly with health centre staff to raise awareness of carers’ issues. Mr Matheson said: “Caring for someone is a very important role. It can often be a 24-hour job, which can be very demanding for the carer. It is therefore important that they receive appropriate support. That is why I am pleased to be here to officially launch this new resource pack for primary care staff in Forth Valley

In Forth Valley there are almost 43,000 carers. Of these, nearly 9,000 are in Clackmannanshire, around 22,000 in Falkirk, and 12,000 in Stirling. The number of carers in Scotland is expected to grow to an estimated one million by 2037.

Dr Anne Maree Wallace, Director of Public Health for NHS Forth Valley, added: “NHS Forth Valley fully appreciates the role played by unpaid carers, and we are keen to provide as much support as possible.

“Since GP practices are usually the first place that carers have contact with, they are perfectly placed to recognise when someone is about to become a carer and provide emotional and practical help. Caring can be a difficult role – our aim is to make it a little easier.”
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Copies of the resource pack will be distributed to GP practices across Forth Valley from early September 2012.