Priority 7 - Recognition and Value

We will actively engage with carers and their representatives throughout the assessment process, both in clinical and social care settings. We will involve and consult with carers when we develop or review our services. We will ensure our carers are recognised and valued for the work they do. To achieve this, we will:

1.  Utilise the experience and knowledge of carers and genuinely treat Carers as expert partners, ensuring that pathways and processes naturally involve seeking the views of carers;
2. Involve a paid advocate where the carer is eligible;
3. Maintain a dialogue with carers to ensure the needs of the cared for person are met;
4. Involve carers in clinical assessments, reviews and discharge planning wherever possible;
5. Ensure that we involve carers in reviews, design and redesign of health and care services so that user experience is taken into account;
6. Establish a newly constituted carer representative body which is supported by partners to obtain carers views and address issues of significance to carers;
7. Fully utilise opportunities to understand the experiences of carers and use these to make improvements;
8. Use opportunities including Carers Week and Carers Rights Day to promote and recognise the work that carers do;
9. Recognise and support Carers in the wider community and society, raising awareness of caring among the wider population in order to build carer friendly communities.