Duncan McNeil MSP visit to Inverclyde Carers Centre

16th February 2009

Irene Pollard welcomed Duncan McNeil MSP to the centre saying a little about the support Inverclyde Carers Centre can offer to Carers.

Mr McNeil acknowledged carers and changes within local authorities and health services.  Timely national campaign reminds people of the savings gained by the state as a resulted of carers support.  Millions saved in Inverclyde, high than average percentage of elderly and an increasingly aging population as a result of young people leaving the area.  This has an impact on carers own health.  Need to make sure decision makers are aware of what’s being done, what needs to be done and gaps for future funding priorities.

Points raised and questions from group

Quality of Care

Carer: Need for respite/agency staff to be better trained.

MSP: Continuity of care also important, responding to individual needs and ensuring personalised, dignified service.  Lack of confidence in client groups to ‘complain’ as there is a feeling this may impact on quality of care given.  There needs to be a more valued/relaxed attitude to complaining/providing feedback.

Carer: Carers specialist knowledge of the person they care for needs to recognised by care staff.

MSP: Acknowledged investment in training of staff may been down to cost implications

Complaints

Carer: Scottish Government plan to have standard method to complain without risk to cared for.

MSP: Reminded carers of different methods to raise issues.  MSP can take forward complaints on behalf of people in an informal manner or Carers can contact regulatory bodies (care commission/ombudsman/statutory bodies)  Carers can raise issues themselves, with support of Carers Centre if wished.

Private Sector Care Providers

Carer: Experienced difficulty with support, 6 weeks council support provided then passed to private organisation where inconsistency of workers and quality of care.  Why contract out to private organisations?

MSP:  Local authority can’t deliver all services on own.  Voluntary sector across Scotland have a role to play.  Standards should be implemented and assured.  If care quality and continuity of care is diminished MSP is open for complaints being made to him to take forward.

Benefit Entitlement

Carers: Several carers raised points around entitlement to Carers Allowance and how means testing has detrimental effect. 

Many carers don’t qualify for Heating Allowance as this is also dependent on payment of certain benefits, Carers often incur much higher costs than others.

Complexity of benefits system and entitlement when cared for moves into own accommodation was highlighted.  Supporting cared for to be more independent can have detrimental affect on Carer and entitlement to Carers Allowance, however they still retain a caring role.

MSP:  Acknowledged complexity of issues and need to look at in terms of savings carers make.  Benefits however are a Westminster issue,  MSP can pass on feedback to MP David Cairns with whom appointments can be made to discuss further.

Carer: Carers Allowance should be made available across the board.

MSP: Direct Payments tried to give control.  System needs to be looked at when benefits become a disincentive to independence.  Need to ensure quality of life and have to persevere for improvements, hence support for National Campaign continually highlighting savings Carers give.

Carers: Many carers in poverty which has implication on health.

Carer: Receipt of Carers Allowance ensures eligibility to Council Tax Rebate and others

Carer: Carers who had been caring for a long period of time or had not worked may not have paid enough stamps to qualify for a pension.

MSP: Will raise issue of benefits system being a disincentive to caring with parliamentary colleague David Cairns and ask him to respond to ICC

Young People with Mental Health Issues

Carer: Lack of services for young people with Mental Health Issues aged 16 – 25.  Careers advisor advised young person apply for incapacity benefit and take up sport, which has knock on effect on existing condition.

MSP: Local colleges focussing work on people aged 16-25.

GP Register

Carer: Drs register for carers not working locally, issue has been raised with CHP by Carers Council.  Difficulty arises because practices are run like private businesses.

MSP: Will write to David Walker, to help demonstrate that people are taking a wider interest.  Perhaps there is a need to look at incentives.

 Carer: Helen Watson said David Walker is taking up issue individually

Respite provision in Inverclyde

Carers: Difficult to get support at night time.  Positive experiences of Hillend but lack of availability a major issue as provision which was previously for older people has been opened up to other groups.  Do Inverclyde Council have plans to extend?

MSP: Understands Hillend delivering quality service but resources are insufficient for demand.

Carer: How high up agenda is respite?

MSP: Got to fight, significant part for care, Carers need supported involve themselves

Recognise carers need support.