Carers provide unpaid care by looking after an ill, frail or disabled family member, friend or partner.

1 in 8 people in Scotland are carers and each carer's situation is unique.  You may be caring for someone constantly - perhaps you elderly parent becoming frail, your partner who has developed an illness or your disabled child. Or you may be helping someone out on a regular basis by picking up prescriptions and checking them every day.

You may also be juggling the demands of family life, a job or education with your caring role.

If you are providing unpaid care (whether or not the person you care for is a patient in this practice), please let us know. Being aware of your caring responsibilities helps us to provide a better service to you as a patient and to the person you care for.

We can help by, for example:

• providing a health check and, if appropriate, an annual flu immunisation to ensure your are as healthy as possible.
• arranging appointments at a time that fits in with your caring responsibilities.
• organising a repeat prescription service direct to your pharmacy.
• providing you with information on ways in which you can access practical and emotional support in your caring role.

• There are an estimated 1.5 million carers in Scotland. @VOCAL’s Think Carer training can help you feel more confident in identifying and supporting unpaid carers. Find out more at their next session: LINK

Do you come into contact with unpaid carers? @VOCAL’s free Think Carer training is designed for health, social care and third sector professionals to learn about unpaid caring and how to signpost to relevant support: LINK

@VOCAL’s Think Carer training explores who is a carer, the impact of caring and the simple ways all professionals can offer support. Join their next session to find out more: LINK

Health and social care staff are ideal partners to sensitively discuss caring and ensure carers know what help and support is available to them. Find out how to best support unpaid carers @VOCAL’s free Think Carer training

VOCAL Midlothian Carer Centre, 30/1 Hardengreen Estate, Dalhousie Road, Dalkeith EH22 3NX

Phone 0131 663 6869

• http://www.vocal.org.uk/

• http://www.carerstraining.co.uk/

Social media handle:

Twitter - @VOCALMidlothian
Facebook – @VOCALMidlothian
LinkedIn – VOCAL Voice of Carers Across Lothian

There is a wealth of information on NHS Choices about carers and caring. Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.

Telling people

Caring responsibilities can make it difficult to maintain friendships or develop new ones. Telling your friends you're a carer is important so they understand and can support you.

Taking a break

Caring for someone can be a full-time job, but it's essential that you take time out for yourself too. Read our guide to accessing breaks and respite.

Housing and carers

Do you know your tenancy rights as a carer? Are you aware of all your care at home options? Do you need tips on moving someone around the home?

Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.

Benefits for carers

Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring role

Benefits for the person you care for

Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to

Death and benefits

How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits

Managing someone's legal affairs

Advice for when carers find they have to take over the legal affairs of the person they are looking after

Other benefits

Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring

Personal and household finance

Advice on keeping a tight rein on household and personal finance for carers

Social fund

Tax credits

Information on claiming tax credits and whether you might be eligible