North Lanarkshire’s new strategy for the area’s 33,000 carers

NORTH Lanarkshire Council in partnership with carers, local carer organisations and NHS Lanarkshire, has published a new Strategy for Carers in North Lanarkshire.

Carers provide vital support and care to relatives, partners or friends, without payment, so that they can live independent lives in the community.

There are at least 33,000 carers living in North Lanarkshire and many of these people carry on their caring work without proper recognition or support.

The new strategy shows what has been achieved and what is planned for the next three years to improve the lives of all people who provide care for a loved one.

It makes clear that carers need to be recognised and provided with information and support themselves to carry on caring.

In support of the ongoing work to identify, support and provide information for carers, the council has committed over £730,000 this year and NHS Lanarkshire has been able to boost its contribution to more than £520,000 with additional funding from the Scottish Government.

Councillor Barry McCulloch, chair of North Lanarkshire Health and Care Partnership, officially launched the Strategy for Carers 2009 – 2012 with the partnership group.

Copies of the Strategy for Carers 2009 – 2012 will be available from your local library, First Stop Shop, social work office and local carer organisations or you can call 01698 332265.