Coalition of Carers Organisations in Northern Ireland call for change
As member of the Coalition of Carers Organisations in Northern Ireland tide are calling for change to happen in relation to the recognition of carers rights. This means a practical acknowledgement through services, support and inclusion.
You can read more here.
The Coalition of Carers Organisations is calling for:
- The Department of Health and the Trusts to co-produce an Action Plan with carers to fully and safely restore essential services such as day centres, respite services and short break provisions
- Immediate access to breaks and replacement care and more government funding ringfenced for both.
- Health and Social Care Trusts and GPs to identify carers and have a clear carer support pathway. Carers must be included as a priority group requiring emotional support services and interventions such as psychological talking therapies.
- Greater promotion and awareness of Carers Assessments amongst health and social care professionals and carers themselves with the aim of increasing the uptake of Carers Assessments and delivering on the agreed action plans.
- Extra support and special consideration within educational settings for young carers with special consideration of young carers’ emotional wellbeing.
- Carers to be at the heart of social care reform and to see detailed plans for reform (which should include care in their own home or in residential/nursing care) that ensure unpaid carers get the practical and financial support they need to care beyond the pandemic.
- The introduction and roll out of the Carers Covid-19 payment as announced by the Minister in February 2021.