Five-year action plan launched to support carers in the community

Towards 2012, an action plan for carers was launched during Carers Week in June.

The plan was developed by a partnership made up of representatives from carers’ organisations, Council departments and NHS Lothian.

Thirteen local voluntary and carer organisations also participated at the end of 2007 and most warmly welcomed Towards 2012.

The responses from unpaid carers in Edinburgh made clear their wish to be seen as key partners in providing care.

In turn, they wanted appropriate, high-quality support to help them to carry out this role.

Respondents were particularly concerned about the need to have appropriate breaks from caring, adequate respite, support, training, tailoring of services, and carer identification and assessment of need.

The plan has been reshaped to take on board these concerns.

Towards 2012 includes a five-year implementation plan.

The Health, Social Care and Housing committee has now approved actions that can be funded within the approved budget during 2008/9.

Later in the financial year, the committee will consider funding gaps for the following two years and possible actions to meet these.

An implementation group is composed of key personnel from Council departments, NHS Lothian, the Community Health Partnership and VOCAL.

It will be responsible for leading on the implementation of Towards 2012 and reporting on progress.

The finalised Strategic Action Plan, Towards 2012, is available online at: www.edinburgh.gov.uk and www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk