Community pharmacy teams in Ayrshire and Arran are being trained to help signpost unpaid carers to the support they need to be able to “live a life alongside their caring role”.

Often one of the few points of contact for carers, the region’s 99 community pharmacies are the focus of a project that is looking to identify and support unpaid ‘hidden’ carers.

Pharmacy staff are being asked to signpost carers to people and places that can help them, including Carers Centres across the region.

Dr Julie Mardon, Emergency Department Consultant at University Hospital Crosshouse and project lead says linking community pharmacies, Carers Centres and unpaid carers has “transformed the support available”:

“We are so delighted to be able to reach out to unpaid carers who have not previously realised they in a caring role and show them the support and resources which are available.

“The team have worked tirelessly and collaboratively together to make this possible.”

Fiona Robson, Joint CEO of East Ayrshire Carer’s Centre said: “It is vital to find the hidden carers in our communities so that we can ensure they have the full support they need to live a life along-side their caring role – and pharmacies are in the heart of each of our communities so we are really hopeful that this collaboration will help us reach as many unpaid carers as possible.”

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