12-24-2007, 11:42 AM
For the few who may still be monitoring these Threads ( if not posting on them ) , here's an update from what's happening 'ere in the UK. The Government have been arranging Summits around the country to gauge what needs to be done for the X million carers. Here's a report from Rosemary who had the guts and determination to attend one :
Not sure how much of yesterday I can actually get covered.The event was 10am - 3.30 pm and was a packed agenda.Will try give as much details as I can so bear with me.
Listening so not to miss anything but take notes to share with you all was difficult at times.Many discussions were heated and moved so fast I wish I knew shorthand.Even the texting abbreviations I sometimes use were not enough Crying or Very sad .
Tables consisted of 15 x 10 people plus 1 facilitator.On each topic raised every person at the tables had the chance to have their say.The table I was sat at had 10 reconvened carers,(2 were 24/7 carers), in that we had all previously attended a local event in our own areas.
4 discussions were spread out over the day....
1. Exploring the main issues facing carers
2. What changes to health and social care would make the greatest difference to carers lives?
3. What changes to benefits and income would make the greatest positive difference to carers lives?
4. What changes to employment,skills and training would make the greatest difference to carers lives.
The event was opened by a lady from Opinion leader who then gave way to a presentation by 4 carers,this was followed by a short speech by Ivan Lewis.When his finished he took a seat at our table and stayed there over an hour.Many issues were raised with him from benefits - services - 24/7 carers - postcode lotteries - care charges etc.To be honest I expected him a few times to make excuses and leave the table but he never.
How much they actually listen only time will tell and it will be in the delivery of something that we will find out the truth.
Some of the areas identified at the regional events discussed yesterday...this next section was read out by the 4 carers
as carers we often do not know where to turn for help and information
we learnt that there are differences in the quality of respite care available to us
there is a negative attitude towards carers in society and not much understanding of what we do.
Caring has an impact on our lifestyles and restricts our options...
we often do not have social lives and cannot take holidays or breaks
our health and well being is affected from our caring role
our employment opportunites are limited
Health issues
As carers we face a number of health issues,both personally and for the person we care for...
we face difficulties accessing services for the person we care for
we have our own health problems too,both emotional and physical
we need better information,many carers do not know what help is available in their own area
we need health professionals to recognise US as the experts on the person we care for
Financial issues.
As carers many of us face financial hardship..
we become financially worse since we start caring
this leads to a lower quality of life,reduced savings and high levels of debt
Carers Allowance is inadequate as it is lower than the minimum wage
Carers Allowance should be paid to all those who care,regardless of age and any other benefits they receive.
carers need help to pay for transport to hospital
Carers should be allowed to work and receive CA
CA outdated and needs a complete overhaul.
CA only benefit that is worked for and so a wage/payment should reflect that
We need claiming benefits made easier.
Carers in the community
We believe that there should be more support for carers in the community
there should be a national standards of care
we would like a user friendly website set up containing up to date information for carers in their area
housing, education and socail services departments should think more how they can support us in a joined up way
Carer awareness training should be made compulsory for all social and health care staff,also amongst employers and children in schools
Summary
We believe it is CRITICAL for our voices to be heard
We perform a vital function and save the Government a massive amount of money each year
Carers views are ESSENTIAL to the New Deal for carers
The general public should be made aware of the situation facing carers,as they may become carers themselves one day
The following also gave brief speeches
Craig Muir ………. Health and Social care taskforce
Geoff Scammel…….Income taskforce….I think that’s his name,was so much noise I had to ask lass next to me .
Some points discussed....
Keep carers out of poverty
Recognising carers contributions
A system easy to use and understand
Remove barriers to providing care/respite
Helping carers that are able/chose to,to remain in work
Want simplicity,one call to get all help/benefits
Greater targeting on the poorest
Packaging all existing support in to a special benefit for carers
Regular one off payments to help carers budget and cope with larger occasional costs.
Priorities should be alleviating poverty
Is there a case for a carers wage instead of a benefit
Does it make a difference in principle if carers are able to combine caring and work.
Should we distinguish different degrees of caring respnsibilites
Each case should receive what benefits them most be it money,help,support.
CA should be non means tested
Overlapping rule to be abolished
Carers need planned breaks from caring to provide relief from the emotional,mental and physical stresses and pressures of caring
Inequalities can be caused by factors such as housing,transport and accessing certain services
Carers providing 50+ hours a week are twice as likely to suffer ill health
Carers have EXPERT knowledge of the person they care for but are often excluded from decisions by health professionals
Lack on information is a big issue facing carers especially when people 1st take on a caring role.
Parent carers often go years without knowing the services and benefits available to them.Information prescriptions to be provided at birth or when disability is 1st recognised to let parent carers know where to get advice and support.
Many carers are not aware that they are entitled to assessments of their own needs as a carer or services to support them and find the current system bureaucratic.
Many carers lack the necessary practical support and equipment to carry out their caring role.Where provided it is often only made available after a long delay.
Services for carers are provided by amny different bodies that do not always work well together.Such failures can result in a post code lottery in the quality of care
Black and Minority Ethnic carers are poorly served by current services,some feel services miss them out.
Some carers find it difficult to remain in/go back to work.
Lack of advice when seeking work
Funding needed for replacement care whilst training
Tax credits for carers
Phew,I need a cuppa after typing all that.I think I have covered all the main points but those that attended yesterday will be receiving a summary in a few weeks time.I will let you know then what some of the findings were.
Opinion Leader ran the event extremely well and when I was talking to other carers at the end of the day,noone came away feeling they had not had their say.The facilitators were very good at making sure those with should we say quieter personalities were also given time to voice their opinions.
I hope the above can give you an insight though in how much was discussed.If I go through my papers and come across something not covered above I will add it.
Hope everyone is well
Rosemary
X x x x
Anyone any comments ?
Not sure how much of yesterday I can actually get covered.The event was 10am - 3.30 pm and was a packed agenda.Will try give as much details as I can so bear with me.
Listening so not to miss anything but take notes to share with you all was difficult at times.Many discussions were heated and moved so fast I wish I knew shorthand.Even the texting abbreviations I sometimes use were not enough Crying or Very sad .
Tables consisted of 15 x 10 people plus 1 facilitator.On each topic raised every person at the tables had the chance to have their say.The table I was sat at had 10 reconvened carers,(2 were 24/7 carers), in that we had all previously attended a local event in our own areas.
4 discussions were spread out over the day....
1. Exploring the main issues facing carers
2. What changes to health and social care would make the greatest difference to carers lives?
3. What changes to benefits and income would make the greatest positive difference to carers lives?
4. What changes to employment,skills and training would make the greatest difference to carers lives.
The event was opened by a lady from Opinion leader who then gave way to a presentation by 4 carers,this was followed by a short speech by Ivan Lewis.When his finished he took a seat at our table and stayed there over an hour.Many issues were raised with him from benefits - services - 24/7 carers - postcode lotteries - care charges etc.To be honest I expected him a few times to make excuses and leave the table but he never.
How much they actually listen only time will tell and it will be in the delivery of something that we will find out the truth.
Some of the areas identified at the regional events discussed yesterday...this next section was read out by the 4 carers
as carers we often do not know where to turn for help and information
we learnt that there are differences in the quality of respite care available to us
there is a negative attitude towards carers in society and not much understanding of what we do.
Caring has an impact on our lifestyles and restricts our options...
we often do not have social lives and cannot take holidays or breaks
our health and well being is affected from our caring role
our employment opportunites are limited
Health issues
As carers we face a number of health issues,both personally and for the person we care for...
we face difficulties accessing services for the person we care for
we have our own health problems too,both emotional and physical
we need better information,many carers do not know what help is available in their own area
we need health professionals to recognise US as the experts on the person we care for
Financial issues.
As carers many of us face financial hardship..
we become financially worse since we start caring
this leads to a lower quality of life,reduced savings and high levels of debt
Carers Allowance is inadequate as it is lower than the minimum wage
Carers Allowance should be paid to all those who care,regardless of age and any other benefits they receive.
carers need help to pay for transport to hospital
Carers should be allowed to work and receive CA
CA outdated and needs a complete overhaul.
CA only benefit that is worked for and so a wage/payment should reflect that
We need claiming benefits made easier.
Carers in the community
We believe that there should be more support for carers in the community
there should be a national standards of care
we would like a user friendly website set up containing up to date information for carers in their area
housing, education and socail services departments should think more how they can support us in a joined up way
Carer awareness training should be made compulsory for all social and health care staff,also amongst employers and children in schools
Summary
We believe it is CRITICAL for our voices to be heard
We perform a vital function and save the Government a massive amount of money each year
Carers views are ESSENTIAL to the New Deal for carers
The general public should be made aware of the situation facing carers,as they may become carers themselves one day
The following also gave brief speeches
Craig Muir ………. Health and Social care taskforce
Geoff Scammel…….Income taskforce….I think that’s his name,was so much noise I had to ask lass next to me .
Some points discussed....
Keep carers out of poverty
Recognising carers contributions
A system easy to use and understand
Remove barriers to providing care/respite
Helping carers that are able/chose to,to remain in work
Want simplicity,one call to get all help/benefits
Greater targeting on the poorest
Packaging all existing support in to a special benefit for carers
Regular one off payments to help carers budget and cope with larger occasional costs.
Priorities should be alleviating poverty
Is there a case for a carers wage instead of a benefit
Does it make a difference in principle if carers are able to combine caring and work.
Should we distinguish different degrees of caring respnsibilites
Each case should receive what benefits them most be it money,help,support.
CA should be non means tested
Overlapping rule to be abolished
Carers need planned breaks from caring to provide relief from the emotional,mental and physical stresses and pressures of caring
Inequalities can be caused by factors such as housing,transport and accessing certain services
Carers providing 50+ hours a week are twice as likely to suffer ill health
Carers have EXPERT knowledge of the person they care for but are often excluded from decisions by health professionals
Lack on information is a big issue facing carers especially when people 1st take on a caring role.
Parent carers often go years without knowing the services and benefits available to them.Information prescriptions to be provided at birth or when disability is 1st recognised to let parent carers know where to get advice and support.
Many carers are not aware that they are entitled to assessments of their own needs as a carer or services to support them and find the current system bureaucratic.
Many carers lack the necessary practical support and equipment to carry out their caring role.Where provided it is often only made available after a long delay.
Services for carers are provided by amny different bodies that do not always work well together.Such failures can result in a post code lottery in the quality of care
Black and Minority Ethnic carers are poorly served by current services,some feel services miss them out.
Some carers find it difficult to remain in/go back to work.
Lack of advice when seeking work
Funding needed for replacement care whilst training
Tax credits for carers
Phew,I need a cuppa after typing all that.I think I have covered all the main points but those that attended yesterday will be receiving a summary in a few weeks time.I will let you know then what some of the findings were.
Opinion Leader ran the event extremely well and when I was talking to other carers at the end of the day,noone came away feeling they had not had their say.The facilitators were very good at making sure those with should we say quieter personalities were also given time to voice their opinions.
I hope the above can give you an insight though in how much was discussed.If I go through my papers and come across something not covered above I will add it.
Hope everyone is well
Rosemary
X x x x
Anyone any comments ?