Carers in the capital are set to benefit from a package of measures designed to give them extra support under plans being considered by The City of Edinburgh Council.
The proposals being put to the Council’s Health, Social Care and Housing Committee include:
- An emergency card scheme where help is available to a carer who suddenly falls ills or has an accident leaving them unable to provide care
- Developing an online network system to connect people in need of support with volunteers
- A one –off payment of up to £250 to carers who provide substantial and regular support to help maintain the carer’s health and wellbeing.
The funding has come from an extra £400,000 set aside by the Council to help carers.
The Council’s Health and Social Care department consulted with carers on how they felt the money should be distributed which resulted in the three priorities being identified.
Councillor Ricky Henderson, Health Leader for the Council, said: “Carers provide essential, quality care but without adequate support in place, they can become overwhelmed with their responsibilities and this can often lead to stress, anxiety or ill health.
“It’s important to provide carers with the support they need and these proposals have been put together following consultation with carers. We have listened to what they have said and we hope these ideas will ensure we can continue to help carers carry out their roles.”
The proposals will be debated at the Health, Social Care and Housing Committee on Tuesday 11 September. The papers for that meeting are now online here.
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