CHANGES are being introduced to help unpaid carers in North Ayrshire as health and care bosses promise to ensure that they are “identified” and “supported.”

The North Ayrshire health and social care partnership (HSCP) has announced that they will be introducing a new online self-referral form for adults next year and that they have recently employed a new care support worker.

The measures come after a report was presented to members of the partnerhsip's integration joint board on December 15 and are being introduced to tackle issues surrounding the uptake of carer assessment and support.

Councillor Nairn McDonald, North Ayrshire Counciil's carers' champion, said: “No matter how much we love the person we are caring for, being an unpaid carer can be difficult at times.

“As such, it’s crucial that we offer the right support to carers at the right time, enabling them to look after their emotional, physical and financial wellbeing, while ensuring that we are meeting and exceeding the statutory responsibilities we have as a local authority under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016.

“We welcome the updates contained in this report and strive to continually improve the services we provide for unpaid carers in North Ayrshire.”

Young Carer’s Statements are currently completed in schools, with additional financial support being made available to education services to support the identified needs of young carers.

In partnership with KA Leisure, the HSCP will offer a one-year subscription for young carers currently registered with the carer service and will allow 10 young carers to subscribe free of charge for three months.

Additionally, Active Schools is offering a free two-day residential placement for 20 young carers across January and February 2023.

Councillor Margaret Johnson, NAC's cabinet member for health and social care, said: “I welcome the remodelling of the carers advisory group and staff support development Group, as well as the recruitment of new staff posts that will enable theHSCP to further extend their aims of ensuring carers’ voices are heard and listened to.

“I look forward to working with all members of the carers team to ensure these excellent additional initiatives are taken forward collaboratively across the HSCP and NHS Ayrshire and Arran.”

You can get in touch with the Carers Centre by calling 01294 311333 or emailing northayrshire.carers@unity-enterprise.com