Agenda item

The meeting was attended by both people with lived experience and partner representatives.  Those in attendance provided statements and an overview of the completed actions and next steps to be delivered across the partnership as part of the Carers’ Strategy 2022-25 and Carers’ Action Plan 2022-23.

Geoffrey Johnson, a Former Carer and Co-Chair of the Carers Strategic Oversight Group provided an overview of his experience as a carer and involvement with the Carers Strategic Oversight Group.  He informed the Panel of his support for the Doncaster All Age Carers Strategy 2022-2025 and the Carers Action Plan for 2022-23, which was approved by Cabinet on the 11th May 2022.  The Panel also received from partners an update of the Carers Strategic Oversight Group and examples of Good Practice that have taken place.

Members heard that all partners had now received the Doncaster All Age Carers Strategy 2022-2025 and the Carers Action Plan 2022-23, with measurable outcomes being discussed to be taken away and updated annually.  Reference was made to the lack of attendance from some partners at Group meetings and a wish that they provided representation that would help send a message that Carers were valued.  It was noted that carers have concerns of both carer recognition and discharge in hospitals

It was continued that the Carers Action Group have co-produced along with the Communications Team, a Carers flyer, which would require further funding to be broadened to other languages.

Finally, Mr Johnson passed his congratulations and thanks to Tommy Shaw, leaving Chair of the Young Carers Council, for supporting young carers in the Borough.  He expressed his wish that such Carers who have stood down, should receive a letter of thanks after the contribution and time they have given to Doncaster Council.

Glyn Butler, voice of a carer (and People Focus Group (PFG)/Safe Space), vocalised his experience of caring and its impact on mental health.

The Director for Health and Wellbeing, then provided a presentation updating the Panel on the following areas

·           What Carer’s Contribute.

·           Doncaster’s All Age Carers Strategy 2022 - 2025

·           Doncaster Carer’s Group Governance Structure

·           Doncaster Carer’s Strategy and Action Plan

·           Progress So Far

·           Doncaster Carers Action Group

·           Next Steps

Further insights were provided by Campbell McNeil (Commitment to Carers Programme/NHS England), and Cath Magee (Making Space/Doncaster Carers Wellbeing Service), who provided overviews of what was currently taking place and what was available for carers.

The Director of Health and Wellbeing stated how there had been tangible developments although it was felt that larger organisations needed to scale up their involvement. 

The Panel continued to address the following areas:

Locality Working – Concern was raised that there was still a disconnect between carers in the communities and what was taking place within localities. It was asked, what was available in terms of training and signposting to key organisations such as Making Space and Doncaster Carers Wellbeing Service

Cath MacGee spoke about how there was an aspiration to make locality areas more carer friendly and spoke about the training and learning opportunities available.  It was recognised that there was still a lot to learn within localities to understand and be able to support carers effectively.  An outline was provided about what communication and publicity had taken place to update and assist those out in communities.

Glyn Butler explained how there was an important message for carers in what was being made available.  He spoke about the importance of training, opportunities arising from funding, people going into community groups, the power of the connection of organisations coming together and staff frontline being equipped.  On a final note, Glyn stressed how carers were everyone’s business.

Carers and Hospitals – Reference was made to the feedback received from carers, when the person they were caring for was being treated for in the hospital.  Concern was raised that the action, that “Health services will align policies and practice to ensure that carers are recognised at every conversation from admission, within wards to hospital discharge”, was not being addressed until 2023.  Members sought clarification on what was currently taking place, particularly in view of the additional challenges that winter could bring. It was explained that this was about how the hospital could become more carer friendly and across the board, being clearer about what has been done and what is being done.

Members were assured that work would be taking place, although it was shared that at present it was not known what those actions were or who was leading on them.  Members were reminded that two reports was coming to the Panel in November 2022 on Doncaster and Bassetlaw hospitals and Winter Planning.  It was suggested that this opportunity could be used to look at how carers could be better supported this winter

Gyn Butcher spoke about the different approaches that each organisation might take, from a GP, hospital, Council and communities perspective and how they value home carers and engage them in order to make services more carer friendly.  Reference was made to John's Campaign for the right to stay with people with dementia (and for the right of people with dementia to be supported by their family carers).

Information and Communication – In terms of how the strategy was reaching out to carers more widely, it was felt that Easy Read documents had proved a useful tool in making strategies more understandable and accessible.  A Member of the Panel commented that if more things were made mandatory, it would be simpler and make jobs more easier.  Reference was made to the use of availability of hospital passports in helping carers.

The Director of Health and Wellbeing supported comments made around the importance of Easy Read.  Reference was made to the set of actions in place around communications and that it was considered important that these actions were properly resourced and connected.  In addition, it was felt that communication activities should continue in line with the nature of caring, and not just take place once.

The Chair commented that they were pleased to hear about the Primary Care Carers Package and would welcome an invite to the online launch event.

RESOLVED that the Panel;

 i.    Note and support the information provided by Carers and partners contained as part of the presentation content and delivery; and

 ii.   Requested an update on the Carers’ Strategy 2022-25 and Carers’ Action Plan 2022-23 in approximately 12 months’ time, as part of the Panel’s workplan for 2023-2024.