Established Carer Positive status awarded to health board as employer

                                                                                                                                                               

AN AWARD has been presented to NHS Dumfries and Galloway – recognising it as an employer which supports Carers in the workplace.

Established Carer Positive status was presented during a visit to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary by Simon Hodgson from Carers Scotland on June 13 as part of Carers Week.

Workforce Director Caroline Cooksey took receipt of the award, and said: “It was with huge pride that we received an award which officially recognises the action NHS Dumfries and Galloway has taken as an employer to ensure that support is provided to Carers who work within the organisation.

“Being a Carer is a major responsibility, and our local health and social care structure depends on the incredibly important role which they play.

“It is only right that we, as employers, ensure that we provide every support we can as they carry out daily work which sits in addition to their actions as Carers in Dumfries and Galloway.”

Carer Positive status is awarded to employers in Scotland who have a working environment where Carers are valued and supported.

This might be through flexible working policies or with simple practical measures which can make a big difference to Carers.

This award confirms that NHS Dumfries and Galloway is committed to working with Carers to provide the flexibility they need.

For many Carers, work can often represent a lifeline, not only financially, but in providing a life outside of caring.

Being able to access and continue working enables Carers to be in a better position to provide care for a relative, friend or neighbour who cannot live independently without the Carers help.

To find out more about Carer Positive, please visit www.carerpositive.org  or contact Simon Hodgson at simon.hodgson@carersscotland.org / Sue McLintock at sue.mclintock@carerscotland.org  or call 0141 445 3070.

Pictured: Simon Hodgson from Carers Scotland presents the Established Carer Positive status award to Caroline Cooksey, during Carers Week at the Information Station in the atrium at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. Pictured, left to right: Non Executive Director & Carer Positive Representative Lesley Bryce, Carers Scotland Director Simon Hodgson, Dumfries and Galloway Carers Strategy Commissioning Officer Larel Currie, NHS Dumfries and Galloway Workforce Director Larel Currie, Caroline Mroczkowski from NHS Dumfries and Galloway and HR Manager – Head of Service Pamela Jamieson