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I know it seems a bit early but lets start thinking about Carers Week 2021 which is from the 7th to 13th June! This past year has been a different, special, difficult, challenging one and as carers we have been through experiences we had never imagined. We have helped someone to live their life as fully and safely as they can and in the process have become less and less visible and supported by society and services. We understand that during lockdown and restrictions the way we had previously been supported was, by necessity, reduced or withdrawn but we are ready for that to change for the better. When things begin to resume we do not want to remain invisible, we want to be recognised and supported and the work we have done to keep people safe and well acknowledged. The theme of Carers Week 2021 is "Make Caring Visible and Valued" so let's have a big think about how we can do that in Fife. Last year we were unable to meet in person for Carers Week so it was all done online and we learned a lot from it. This year we hope to be able to combine online activities with in person activities but will have to wait and see how things pan out. We'd like to have a mix of informative, social, fun, thought provoking and inclusive activities that make everyone see and appreciate carers. We have a few ideas on the go to develop but we would love it if you thought of anything that you would like to do for carers week - get in touch and let us know about it. In the meantime have a look at one of last year's short entertainments by our Carer Support Worker Andy Brogan. If you are a parent carer you have a great opportunity to share your thoughts on designing a new play space at Lochore. Take a look at the video and do the survey below
See the video here Lochore Redevelopment and complete the survey here Survey for Lochore According to the statement published this morning (22nd February) on the Scottish Government website https://www.gov.scot/news/next-stage-for-vaccine-programme/ People with underlying health conditions and unpaid carers are beginning to receive coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations. Priority group 6 is one of the largest on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) list. The first to be invited will be people who have conditions which are included on both the JCVI priority list and the flu vaccine list. Although there is some overlap, the two lists are not exactly the same. They will be invited at the same time as unpaid carers who receive carers’ benefits or who have been identified by GPs. Carers who do not receive carers benefits, and who have not been identified by GPs, will be asked to come forward to register for their vaccine at a later date through an online portal or the national helpline. Work is also ongoing to identify people with underlying conditions who are not on the modified flu vaccine list, and they will be invited shortly. Anyone aged 70 or over who has not yet been invited for their vaccine should visit nhsinform.scot for further advice or call the national helpline on 0800 030 8013. I know it's frustrating to be ready and waiting but it is on its way!  Following enquiries from carers about the rollout of the Covid vaccine, we have been informed that some NHS boards are now beginning to call forward a limited number of carers identified through GP records and relevant social security benefits (Carer’s Allowance, Young Carer Grant and Child Winter Heating Payment), as vaccine supply allows. If you are a carer, you do not have to do anything at this time if you have not received your appointment letter yet.
Further information will be available shortly about the forthcoming self-referral system for carers in Scotland. We have had a lot of enquiries about carers getting the Covid - 19 vaccine. NHS Inform website has this information for family and unpaid carers at the moment.
Adult unpaid carers aged under 65 and young carers aged 16 and 17 will be offered vaccination at the same time as adults with eligible at-risk health conditions (priority group 6). Unpaid carers aged 65 and over will be offered the vaccine earlier as they are included in priority groups 2-5. Unpaid carers are those who provide care for someone else due to a disability, ill-health or frailty without payment. Some unpaid carers will be invited to get their coronavirus vaccine by phone or letter, if they are already known to support services, for example, Social Security Scotland or a local carer centre. If you are not in contact with a service, you can register with your local carer centre. Unpaid carers will also be able to self-refer for the coronavirus vaccine if they are not contacted by phone or letter. Further information on this will be available shortly. If you would like to refer yourself to Fife Carers Centre you can do so at any time by completing the Referral form which you will find here - https://www.fifecarerscentre.org/referral-form.html This afternoon, the First Minister announced that unpaid carers in Scotland will begin to receive appointments for their covid vaccine from the third week in February. To answer some of your questions about the rollout of the vaccine for Unpaid Carers, please take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions here: https://www.carersnet.org/.../It-can-be-downloaded-here.pdf  Coalition of Carers In Scotland is sharing a COVID-19 Update.· Following the announcement that the COVID-19 vaccine could be made available in Scotland from as early as next week, we can confirm that unpaid carers are still one of the priority groups who will be offered the vaccine at some point between Dec-Feb. We are still awaiting clarification on how unpaid carers who are eligible for the vaccine will be identified, and will update you when we know more. To read this morning's announcement in full: https://www.gov.scot/.../covid-19-vaccination-programme.../  On Carers Rights Day a campaign to support carers wherever they are in Scotland with information and guidance is launched. Search for https://www.nhsinform.scot/caring#carerssupport to find out about the help available in your area or get in touch with Fife Carers Centre on centre@fifecarers.co.uk or call 01592 205472 if you are caring for someone living in Fife to find out how we can help. |
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April 2021
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