COVID Vaccine – Update for Carers

The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland have launched a self-registration service for the COVID-19 vaccination for eligible unpaid carers who have not already been given an appointment.

You are eligible for vaccination at this stage and should register if all of the following statements apply to you:

  • You are 16 to 64 years old;
  • You provide face-to-face care and support to one or more family members, friends or neighbours;
  • The care you provide is not part of a contract or voluntary work;
  • If caring for someone under 18, they are affected by a disability, physical or mental ill-health, developmental condition or substance misuse; and
  • You have not already received your first COVID-19 vaccination or vaccination appointment letter.

To register for a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine as a carer, please visit: https://www.nhsinform.scot/carersregister

For more information, click here to download the FAQ

Digital Carers Card during COVID-19

Carers cards are usful tools for carers to help you be more easily identified as someone who provides care. Since the COVID-19 lockdown began, we have continued to issue Carers Cards to carers in a digital format.

Carers who would like a Carers Card, and who have not had one previously, will be issued with a digital Carers Card, specifically designed to be used on your phone for the duration of the COVID-19 lockdown.

To receive a digital Carers Card, please complete the digital referral form linked below:

Click here to complete referral form

If you have previously had a Forth Valley Carers Card that has now expired, please complete the Contact Us form on our website, and ask to be emailed with a letter that can be used alongside your existing expired card.

If you are working with someone who does not have access to the internet or an email address, please ask them to contact the number below.

For further information, please contact us on 01324 611510 and leave a message, or email centre@centralcarers.co.uk.

 

Mask exemption card for carers

The Scottish Government has produced a face covering exemption card, to support those who are unable to wear one to feel more confident and safe when accessing public spaces and using public services.

The face covering exemption card is branded with the Healthier Scotland and NHS Scotland logos under the FACTS for a Safer Scotland campaign.

A physical card can be requested from Disability Equality Scotland to wear on a lanyard or hold in a wallet, while a digital card is also available to be displayed on a phone, tablet or other device.

Physical and digital cards are available to request online from 29 October at www.exempt.scot or via a free helpline on 0800 121 6240.

Carers and PPE

Carers and PPE

Carers who normally provide personal care (help with washing or dressing) to a family member or friend who has a long-term illness or disability should continue to use PPE if they normally use, accessed through their normal supply route.

NO ADDITIONAL PPE IS REQUIRED UNLESS THE CARER OR THE CARED-FOR PERSON IS IN THE SHIELDING CATEGORY or HAS SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19.

If a carer provides personal care but cannot access PPE through their normal support route, they may be eligible to receive PPE from their local authority via a local Hub, if:

  • The carer and/or the cared-for person:
    • has symptoms of Covid-19 (and alternative care cannot be provided)
    • is in the shielding category
    • is over 70
  • The carer works outside the home
  • The cared-for person has an underlying condition

If you are a carer and you think the above applies to your situation, please contact the Carers Centre on 01324 611510 or email centre@centralcarers.co.uk for further information or to discuss your requirements.

Information and advice for carers providing personal care is available on the Scottish Government website using the link below:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-unpaid-carers-providing-personal-care/

 

Image by leo2014 from Pixabay.

Carers Card – COVID-19 update

Since the COVID-19 lockdown began, we have been inundated with requests for Carers Cards. Normally, our personalised credit card style Forth Valley Carers Cards are produced at the Carers Centre and posted out to carers, however, this is no longer an option with staff working from home.

We recognise the benefits that having a Carers Card can bring at this time, and so we have been working hard behind the scenes to develop an alternative to the physical card.

Carers who would like a Carers Card, and who have not had one previously, will now be issued with a digital Carers Card, specifically designed to be used on your phone for the duration of the COVID-19 lockdown.

To receive a digital Carers Card, please complete the digital referral form linked below:

Click here to complete referral form

If you have previously had a Forth Valley Carers Card that has now expired, please complete the Contact Us form on our website, and ask to be emailed with a letter that can be used alongside your existing expired card.

If you are working with someone who does not have access to the internet or an email address, please ask them to contact the number below.

For further information, please contact us on 01324 611510 and leave a message, or email centre@centralcarers.co.uk.

 

Carers Centre Coronavirus (COVID-19) information

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) – IMPORTANT NOTICE

The Carers Centre is now closed in line with Government guidance in relation to Coronavirus (COVID-19). This is to minimise the risk to members of the public and to our staff.

We will continue to provide information and support to carers by telephone or email. For help and advice, please call and leave a message and someone will call you back:

01324 611510

or email:

centre@centralcarers.org.

Information will also be available from our website, Twitter and Facebook pages.

For help and advice from the Citizen Advice Bureau Benefits Adviser, please call:

01324 626070

or email:

bureau@falkirkcab.casonline.org.uk.

Telephone calls and emails to CAB will be answered during office hours.

We will continue to monitor government advice and will keep our service under continual review until the Coronavirus threat subsides. Thank you for your understanding.

 

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

F&C Carers Centre COVID-19 update

Please note:

In light of the recent COVIDー19 outbreak, ALL Falkirk & Clackmannanshire Carers Centre organised activities, including groups and face-to-face support, are postponed until further notice.

We will provide further information and updates in the coming days.

 

Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay.

COVID-19 – Scottish Government unpaid carers advice

The Scottish Government have provided general advice for unpaid carers in relation to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

“Coronavirus advice for unpaid carers Anyone providing regular support to a vulnerable friend or relative will want to do what they can to protect their own health and that of those they look after during the coronavirus outbreak.

Like everyone, unpaid carers (including young carers) and people being cared for should familiarise themselves with the public health advice on how to protect themselves from infection.

As the situation is changing quickly, the guidance may also change, so carers should therefore check regularly to make sure they are following the latest guidance at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19.

Carers who don’t already have an emergency plan in place may want to talk with family & friends about who could take over their caring role if they become ill or need to self-isolate – particularly while social work services are under additional pressure.

It will also be important to make sure you have key information about the person you care for easily available – so that anyone taking over care has all the information they need.

Where carers and family and friends are unable to provide essential care for someone, they should contact their local social work department. Contact details here: https://socialworkscotland.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Social-Work-Departments-Contact-Information-Website-version.pdf.

See NHS 24 for advice on coronavirus symptoms; precautions to take; and what to do if you think you may have become ill with coronavirus – nhs24.scot.”

 

Image by zukunftssicherer from Pixabay.