AQW 40653/11-15

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 13/01/2015
Answered On Date: 23/01/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 39997/11-15, to detail specific public awareness campaigns by his Department to ensure that older people who fit the criteria of carer are identified.

Answer:

As I have previously advised, all Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts undertake a high level engagement process across all Programmes of Care (POC) to identify as many ‘hidden’ carers as possible. As part of this engagement process, HSC Trusts support and promote a range of public awareness campaigns, including the Carers Trust ‘Mind the Gap’ project, which specifically targets older carers. I refer you to my answer to AQW 39997/11-15, for detail on other ongoing awareness campaigns by individual HSC Trust.

HSC Trust Carer Co-ordinators have been in post since 2008 and drive the policy on support for carers of all ages. Carer Co-ordinators act as the main point of contact for those identified carers availing or looking to avail of the assessment process.