Kirsty MacKenzie is Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership's Carers Coordinator.
Her role is to ensure that carers' needs become an embedded priority in all health and social care planning across the HSCP, and that this links in with health and social care services, third sector, independent, and voluntary sector organisations. These organisations deliver services to provide professional support and guidance to help support young people and adults who provide unpaid care to their loved ones, friends and family.
Unpaid Carers provide care for someone who is frail, seriously ill or has a disability. This can include emotional support, and practical support such as managing hospital appointments, helping with household tasks or shopping, managing finances, personal care, and support with medication management.
Kirsty MacKenzie, Carers Act Implementation Officer said: “A carer is someone who provides support to family or friends who couldn't manage without this help.
“Anyone can become a carer, and carers come from all walks of life, all cultures, and can be any age. Many carers feel that caring for loved ones is doing what anyone would do in the same situation to support their family members, neighbours or friends; this could be caring for a mother, father, wife, husband, son, daughter, or friend. If you provide unpaid support with day-to-day living tasks or personal care such as helping them to wash, get dressed, eat, take them to appointments, or keep them company when they feel lonely or anxious. It is important to identify yourself as an unpaid carer and get professional advice, support, and services to help yourself and the person you care for.”
Kirsty helps to review and embed best practices to improve integrated approaches to support unpaid carers within all health and social care systems. This includes making sure carers are able to take regular breaks from their caring role to help build resilient and sustainable caring relationships.
Linda Currie, Associate AHP Director, Argyll and Bute HSCP said: “Kirsty’s role is facilitating effective engagement and liaison with key stakeholders and unpaid carers.
“The HSCP recognises the importance of ensuring young and adult carers are visible, valued and supported. It is essential for all carers to access the information, support and services they need, where and when they need it to continue in their caring role. They also need to be encouraged to look after their own health and well-being to remain living their own lives outside of their caring roles too.
“Our aging population today is living longer and people of all ages are living with complex and long-term health conditions. There is people behind the scenes, caring for them, who do not recognise themselves as a carer. I would encourage more carers to come forward to access confidential advice, support and services. It is important for them to continue to strive in supporting their loved ones with the help of local support and services available.”
The pandemic has further highlighted the vital role and challenges unpaid carers play in maintaining effective care for their loved ones. If you look after a family member or help someone who has a disability, is unwell or frail, you may be entitled to an Adult Carer Support Plan (ACSP) or Young Carer Statement (YCS). You don't need to be living with the person you care for to have an Adult Carer Support Plan (ACSP) or Young Carer Statement (YCS).
You can request an ACSP/YCS or be referred for support if you;
- provide care or support for a relative, friend or neighbour
- will be providing care or support at a future time to, say, someone who may be leaving hospital
- are a young person caring for a relative, for instance, a parent
- are the parent or other carer of a child with additional needs
Notes to editors
The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 was passed in the Scottish Parliament on 4 February 2016. The act came in to effect on 1 April 2018 and will ensure better and more consistent support for carers and young carers so that they can continue to care, if they so wish, in better health and have a life alongside caring.
Carers Centres in Argyll and Bute are run by charitable organisations to provide people with information, support, or assistance. Based on identified needs and personal outcomes they may also assist and support with some respite or a short break. They can also help gain access to possible support or services by engaging with the Health and Social Care Partnership, if statutory supports are indicated, but only if people wish.