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Agenda item

Cabinet Member:      Councillor W. Gareth Roberts

 

To receive a report by the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing on the above.

(Copy enclosed)

 

 

*12.20 p.m. – 12.40 p.m.

Minutes:

(a)           A report was submitted by the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being, outlining the findings and recommendations deriving from an investigation held on the type of support available to unpaid carers in Gwynedd.

 

(b)          The Adults and Children Carers Support Officer guided members through the report and noted the main points as noted below:

 

·         That Carers Wales had appointed an officer for the North to promote the identification of hidden carers

·         That the Gwynedd and Anglesey Carers Partnership Group had drawn up a strategy and one of the objectives was identifying hidden carers

·         Assessments would continue to be undertaken and an attempt would be made to do this as soon as possible 

·         In terms of feedback from carers, fewer than 100 out of 500 questionnaires had been returned and the responses to the questionnaires returned by the carers of individuals with mental health issues were relatively encouraging  

·         In terms of information and advice, it was noted that guidance had been produced and was back on the website to draw attention of staff / carers with relevant links

·         We were collaborating with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

·         An additional grant had been received from Welsh Government to provide respite care for carers however attention was drawn to the fact that there was an insufficient number of people working in the field to provide respite care, specifically in Meirionnydd.

·         That savings and cuts were affecting the service. 

·         Welsh language - that documents received from the health service needed to be translated into Welsh, and some providers were experiencing difficulties in recruiting Welsh-speaking staff, particularly in the south of the County. 

 

Elected members were encouraged to inform the service whether they were aware of hidden carers in their wards who looked after family members so that the service could offer them advice.

 

(c)           Members were given an opportunity to scrutinise the report and the Adults and Children Carers Support Officer responded as noted below:

 

·         it was asked whether the service was fit for purpose and in response, it was noted that the requirements of the new Act were challenging, and there was a need to collaborate with partners in the field.   The need to be realistic and attempt to focus on two or three of the objectives were needed.  

·         It was reiterated that addressing the requirements of the act was important and the need to consider how the best value for the money could be obtained by reviewing and prioritising 

·         In terms of addressing needs and supporting young people who were carers, there was close collaboration with Bangor University which offered a period of respite for young carers so that they had a taster of what was available and to encourage them to gain a qualification in care.   In addition, there was collaboration with the Regional Group. 

·         From the grant of £114,000 received for 2017/18, £60,000 had been shared with the third sector and the rest supported carers with learning disabilities, Derwen and carers who cared for a sibling.

·         In response to an observation made by a member regarding a personal experience when a family had received very good initial support following a patient's discharge from hospital, carers had not revisited the family, Members were encouraged to refer families to the Carers Outreach Service which was a one-stop-shop so that they could be referred to the correct sector.  According to the new Act, emphasis was placed on families supporting preventative support in the community.

·         Reference was made to a scheme for young children who were carers where it was possible for them to have ipads and the service would be able to contact them through Skype and it was hoped that there would be more information about this scheme in due course

·         In terms of the third sector providing care, it was noted that families wished to stick with the same carers  

·         The fact that the service was more creative to identify carers was welcomed and whilst Hafan y Sêr was an excellent resource, there was concern about the provision for families where the children did not meet Derwen's criteria.   In response, it was noted that the Service was aware of the situation and it was hoped that there would be a resolution soon. 

 

The Head of Adults, Health and Well-being Department added that he would be in a position to share information regarding the creation of Uned Tan y Marian in approximately six weeks. 

 

Resolved:                     To accept, note and give thanks for the report.

 

 

Supporting documents: