VOCAL - Voice of Carers Across Lothian
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Carers are being asked to give their views on four important strategic developments in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Below you will find information and links to each of the consultations and details on how you can give your feedback. VOCAL is also organising focus groups and stakeholder events in different parts of the city - contact Julie at VOCAL for more information.

Towards 2012
Draft Carers Strategic Action Plan for Edinburgh
This strategy is a top priority for carer involvement and lays out the vision for carer support and resources in Edinburgh for the next five years. Tables at the end of each section of the document provide a useful summary of the plans.

Download: Full document from City of Edinburgh Council's website
Who does this affect: Carers living in Edinburgh
How to give your feedback:
Write to: 'Towards 2012', Gordon Dodds, Planning and Commissioning Officer (Carers), The City of Edinburgh Council, Health and Social Care Department, Waverley Court, Level 1:8, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BG or email: Towards2012@edinburgh.gov.uk or phone: 0131 553 8347 (Gordon Dodds)
Deadline for comments: 20 December 2007

Respite Care
National guidance to NHS and local authorities
The Scottish Government is consulting on new guidance to help local service planners improve respite provision by (a) improving respite planning, (b) shifting the balance towards preventative support, and (c) personalizing support to improve outcomes both for carers and those with care needs.

Download: Scottish Government consultation letter and draft guidance
Who does this affect: all carers
How to give your feedback:
Either directly to Julie Wotherspoon at the Scottish Government (contact details are on page 2 of the guidance) or through VOCAL. VOCAL is co-ordinating several carer meetings to discuss the guidance and get carers' views. Contact Seb Fischer on 0131 622 7620 if you wish to contribute.
Deadline for comments: 16 January 2008

Our Lives, Our Way
This strategy looks at the needs of people from 16 to 65 years of age who have a physical and complex disability and outlines plans for the way these needs can be met.

Download: Summary Report or visit NHS Lothian webpage
Who does this affect: Carers living in Edinburgh and the Lothians who support someone with a physical and complex disability
How to give your feedback: You can write, phone, email, fill in an online form or send audio-tapes/CDs. Full contact details are available from this NHS Lothian webpage
Deadline for comments: 31 January 2008

Live Well in Later Life
This strategy will guide how and what services the City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian will provide to meet the needs and expectations of older people who need care and support until 2018.

Download: Summary Document or visit City of Edinburgh webpage (Please note that the consultation booklet link currently doesn't work)
Who does this affect: Carers living in Edinburgh
How to give your feedback:
Write to: Tricia Campbell, Joint Programme Manager (Older People), The City of Edinburgh Council, Waverley Court, Level 1-8, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BG or phone: 0131 553 8304 or email: tricia.campbell@edinburgh.gov.uk
Deadline for comments: 31 December 2007

Implementation of National Review of Nursing Services
This paper sets out changes to the way some community nursing services are delivered, moving more care away from hospitals to where people live. Changes in Edinburgh will initially happen in northwest Edinburgh and southeast Edinburgh.

Download: Briefing paper
How to give your feedback:
VOCAL is supporting carers to be involved in shaping the changes to Community Nursing. We are looking for carers for two focus groups. Carers should live in either South East or North West Edinburgh and care for people who:
1) currently receive a District Nursing service (one group) or
2) are likely to need a District Nursing service in the future (second group)

The groups will meet 3-4 times over a nine month period (Jan – Sept 2008) to discuss the changes and their impact. Sitter and travel costs together with lunch will be provided for each meeting. If you are interested in getting involved please contact Julie on 0131 622 6666 or email JGardner@vocal.org.uk by the end of November.

VOCAL services are free but carers often ask how they can make donations. Donations to VOCAL can be made through our online donation facility at www.justgiving.com where Gift Aid is automatically reclaimed on any donation you make. Gift Aid is tax relief on money donated to UK charities.

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Princess Royal Trust VOCAL Carers Centre
8-13 Johnston Terrace
EDINBURGH EH1 2PW
Scottish Charity: SC020755
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T. 0131 622 6666. F. 0131 622 7621. E. vocal@carers.net
Website: www.vocal.org.uk