Health board recognised for its support towards carers

HYWEL Dda University Health Board has been recognised for its support towards staff who have caring duties outside the workplace.

The heath board recently achieved the Carer Confident Level 2 Accomplished benchmark in the Carers Wales Employers for Carers scheme, in recognition of the help and support to staff members who also have a caring role in their personal lives.

During Carers Week, the health board highlighted carer awareness through a series of roadshows at hospitals sites and will promote partner led events across the three counties.

The health board’s contribution to improving outcomes for unpaid carers is co-ordinated via a Carers Strategy Group, which is overseen and facilitated by the Carers Team. The group has a diverse membership and is committed to supporting staff with caring roles, as well as patients and family members who are unpaid carers.

Judith Hardisty, vice-chair and carer’s champion for Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “The achievement of this award demonstrates the health board’s recognition of the invaluable role that unpaid carers play in supporting those that they care for.

“Our work to support unpaid carers highlights how we are implementing our values and the Carers Strategy Group are keen to further roll-out awareness raising of the ways in which staff can be supported.”

Anna Bird, assistant director of strategic partnerships, diversity and inclusion for Hywel Dda University Health Board added: “We are delighted to have achieved this level of the Employers for Carers Carer Confident benchmark and would like to thank all those that contributed to the evidence that we had to provide.

“The feedback we have received is also great and to have heard that the assessors thought our application was ‘exemplary’ was extra special.

“We hope that this work also reflects how our staff with caring responsibilities sees the organisation and that line managers can continue to support staff in their teams.”