	CARERS of WEST LOTHIAN Providing Support, Information and a A Voice for Carers in West Lothian

Carers Panel

One of the key objectives of our organisation is "to ensure that carers have a real voice" in the planning and delivery of local health, social and community services, and in the development of national policies. In past years we have provided this through the Carers Forum. However, in response to evolving changes in local planning structures, the Carers Forum has reviewed its role and looked at how it can most effectively influence planning and service delivery, keeping a focus on carers needs.

The review has resulted in a decision to disband the Carers Forum in its current form and in its place set up a Carers Panel. The Carers Panel will be a medium for consultation with carers and will provide information sessions to carers, identify carers issues and feed these back to the appropriate bodies/persons.

Communication and consultation with the Carers Panel will be operated on a flexible basis using a variety of methods such as telephone contact, post, e-mail, one-to-one interviews and group gatherings.

We would like to engage as many carers as we possibly can on the Carers Panel, gaining consent to approach individual or groups of carers regarding specific issues. Being a member of the Carers Panel will require very little commitment in terms of time, but it will combine one carers voice together with many more giving Carers of West Lothian information on the real and pressing issues affecting carers.

If you are interested in being a part of the Carers Panel, please contact Mary-Denise McKernan (Manager) or Lee Morris (Carer Support Co-ordinator) on 01506 771750. If you think that you might be interested, but are not sure exactly what membership would entail, please contact Mary-Denise or Lee for an informal chat.

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