Carers Services Review, Torbay
Download (PDF 1.59 MB)Summary of report content
In May 2014, Torbay Carers Services asked Healthwatch Torbay to undertake an independent review of local Carers Services as part of developing the new Torbay Carers Strategy for 2015-17.
An extensive anonymous questionnaire was created both online and in paper version for distribution at external events and various focus groups and Carer’s meetings across Torbay. The survey received significant press and media coverage through local press, including radio. The purpose was to ascertain whether Carers were aware of the services available to them and whether they felt the need to improve them in any way. There were 721 responses to the survey and all postcodes in Torbay were represented.
Despite the majority of respondents claiming there is sufficient information on Carers Services available, the main issue seems to be getting access to that information. The survey found thatCarers that were aware of the services on offer had very little trouble accessing them, and were generally satisfied with them, however, there remains a significant amount of Carers unaware of the services on offer to them.
This survey highlights the need to provide information on exactly what Carers Services are available to all Carers. It also demonstrates the lack of Carer engagement and involvement in terms of planning and evaluating services.
Recommendations made include establishing a specific link for all Carers (registered, self-referred or otherwise) who can support them, meeting face-to-face to discuss all options and support services available to them, whilst also maintaining regular contact with the Carer to check on them. The report also recommends that a complementary promotional leaflet containing all available services be created and that Torbay Carers Services should continue to work with Healthwatch Torbay to gather the views of Carers regarding the support services they are offering.
A further recommendation was made to set up additional support groups or services for those Carers in the middle-age, working category, plus the creation of a dedicated Facebook page to be used as an online Forum.