The Torbay’s Carer’s Strategy 2021-23 has been published as part of Carer’s week highlighting the importance and invaluable contribution unpaid carers make to the lives of those in need of care and support.
The Strategy document, which was first published 21 years ago, is updated every 3 years and is co-produced with Torbay Council, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, voluntary and community sector partners and most importantly in consultation with Carers across the Bay.
A Carer is anyone, including a child, who provides care to another person, apart from those who do it as paid work, voluntary work or ordinary parenting. It includes caring for a partner, relative, friend or neighbour, who due to physical, sensory or learning disability, mental health or drug/alcohol issues, frailty, illness, long-term health condition and/or vulnerability cannot manage alone in the community.
There are well over 16,000 unpaid carers in Torbay with over 2,700 registering over the past 3 years. The newly revised strategy and its accompanying action plan recognises the increasing importance of carers and their role in the community and in supporting Torbay’s Model of Care and have identified the following as its key priorities over the next 3 years:
1. Identification of Carers at the first opportunity
2. Information, advice and support services available to all Carers
3. Carers’ Assessments proportionate to needs, including whole family approach
4. Involvement of Carers in service delivery, evaluation and commissioning
5. Enhancement of support to person being cared for.
Councillor Jackie Stockman, Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health, commented; ‘Torbay Council and our Partners very much value our numerous Carers. Healthwatch has engaged with as many Carers as possible to produce the new Strategy it is therefore very much based on the aspirations and needs of what was captured as described by the Carers themselves. We wish to have a strategy to support our Carers who are very often the unsung heroes.”
Katy Heard, Torbay Carers Lead, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust said, “This Strategy is the result of a huge amount of work for all the organisations involved, planning how to address Carers’ priorities. It is critically important that we support unpaid Carers though, as we know that caring affects their physical and mental wellbeing, and their financial situation. There is a huge range of support available such as someone to talk to, back-up planning, practical support and much more. Unfortunately, most people don’t realise that family or friends, from primary school age upwards, are able to access this Carer Support. If anyone wants further information, they should ring Signposts for Carers on 01803 666620, signposts@nhs.net or www.tsdft.uk/carers.”
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