Review of the Implementation of the Northern Ireland Single ...

The review team asked trust representatives how the trust board was kept
informed of relevant carers‟ issues, and were advised that trust boards were
updated on carers‟ issues at their board meetings and this was evidenced in
minutes of Board meetings. The Southern Trust was the only trust who had a
designated non-executive board member who presents an annual report to
the board on the trust‟s progress in taking forward carers‟ issues. However,
carers‟ issues are not listed routinely on the agenda of each trust Board, to
enable the monitoring of progress against the Carers‟ Strategy in place in
each trust.
Policy for Promoting Carer Involvement
The review team noted that all trusts had a written policy for promoting carer
involvement. The Belfast, Northern and Western trusts had an
implementation plan to take forward their carers‟ strategy. The South Eastern
and Southern trusts used their Personal and Public Involvement (PPI)
Strategy with a specific theme of carers‟ involvement to do so. From evidence
submitted to the review team, it was clear that trusts were actively consulting
with carers. Each trust had in place a forum for carers, a carers‟ steering
group, and a carers‟ reference group. These groups have representation
across programmes of care and act as a useful vehicle for engaging carers in
planning and delivery of services.
Training and Practical Support for Carers
Trusts are required to provide training and practical support to enable carers
to participate fully in the planning, procurement, delivery, evaluation and
review processes of the trust.
The review team noted that all trusts have arrangements in place with Carers
Northern Ireland to deliver bespoke carer involvement training, which helps
improve carers‟ self-confidence and communication skills. This course,
entitled „Being Involved‟, is designed for carers. It helps equip carers with the
skills to represent carers‟ issues in meetings and in consultations with trusts
and to help carers advocate for Carers rights.
Other support mechanisms offered to carers by trusts include professional
staff offering advice on an individual basis and assistance with administration
and financial support to carers, including travel expenses. If required,
alternative care provision for the cared for person is put in place to allow the
carer to attend training or consultation/reference group meetings.
Recruitment of Carers to trust groups
The review team noted the challenges facing trusts in recruiting and ensuring
that carers are involved in the planning, commissioning and review of trust
services. Carers groups are not always sufficiently representative of the
diverse range of backgrounds and caring experiences. For established focus
groups to be effective, trusts need to recruit sufficient numbers to the pool of
experienced carers. This can and does present a real challenge for trusts
who often are relying on a small pool of carers who are able to give of their
time to participate in such groups alongside the demands of their caring
responsibilities. Use of Carer Satisfaction Surveys
10