Who cares about carers?

In a sentiment similar to the Latin phrase, Quis custodiet ipsos custodes, or Who guards the guards, the question has to be asked: Who cares for the carers?

Last month the annual National Carers Week recognised the contribution of undervalued and hard working carers. In Scotland there are an estimated 759,000 people over 16 with caring responsibilities which equates to 17 per cent of the population.

This year’s theme was ‘building carer-friendly communities’ and it highlighted the range of support which is available to people across the country, whatever their caring role. But only weeks later that vital and much needed downtime has been taken away from carers on Arran leaving them without vital support.

On one hand the North Ayrshire Council run care home says it is unable to cater for respite care owing to staff shortages. But on the other, those who use the service blame the council themselves, insisting that there has been valid reasons for the exodus of local staff leaving the care home to try and find staff on the mainland.

While some may consider the problem as self imposed and others merely a situation that they find themselves in, we have to hope that solutions can be found, and quickly.