The Carers Strategies (Wales) Regulations 2011

Appropriate information and advice

6.—(1) Only the following parts of this regulation apply in relation to a strategy prepared by Welsh Ambulance Services National Health Service Trust—

(a) subparagraphs (2)(a) to (c);

(b) subparagraphs (2)(h) and (2)(k).

(2) For the purposes of section 2(1)(a) of the Measure, the following are prescribed as appropriate information and advice(1)—

(a) information about carers' rights which includes reference to carers of those whose needs relate to their mental health;

(b) information about medication and its potential side effects;

(c) information on the medical condition and course of treatment of persons cared for;

(d) information to assist children and young people who have a caring role;

(e) information on the availability, entitlement to and sources of local and national support including—

(i) short breaks and respite care,

(ii) carer’s needs assessment,

(iii) the Court of Protection,

(iv) direct payments,

(v) housing support,

(vi) independent advocacy,

(vii) counselling including bereavement support,

(viii) guardianship,

(ix) age appropriate support groups,

(x) culturally appropriate support groups,

(xi) financial advice and support including advice on welfare benefits,

(xii) managing the financial and administrative affairs of persons who are cared for.

(f) information and advice on employment provisions, including flexible working;

(g) information on the duties of local authorities to assess the needs of those who may be eligible for community care services and to assess the needs of carers, and, in both cases, provide services (2) ;

(h) information about the availability of concessionary transport schemes and other patient transport arrangements to enable carers to attend NHS appointments with the person cared for;

(i) information and advice on physical aids, and housing adaptations;

(j) information on the regulation and inspection of health and care services by the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales and the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales;

(k) information on local carer support agencies and appropriate national organisations supporting patients, users and carers;

(l) information on how to avoid hospital admission;

(m) information on the availability of crisis support and how to access it;

(n) information on the availability of re-ablement and intermediate care for the person cared for;

(o) information that helps promote health and well-being (including information and training on stress management techniques, healthy diet and physical exercise);

(p) information on the complaints procedures of the Local Health Board and the local authorities;

(q) information on programmes to assist carers to carry out their caring role safely and effectively, to include but not limited to—

(i) safe lifting, moving and handling,

(ii) medicines management including the safe administration of medication to the carer or person cared for,

(iii) relevant nursing skills,

(iv) use of aids and adaptations,

(v) continence care,

(vi) stress management,

(vii) assistance with eating and drinking,

(viii) dealing with behavioural issues of the person cared for,

(ix) helping carers to look after themselves.

(3) In this regulation, references to “information” should be read to include information which is either provided directly or information which is available from another source, and to which access is provided.

(1)

section 3(2) of the Measure gives the Welsh Ministers power to make further provision about what constitutes “appropriate information and advice” to be contained in a strategy. The phrase “appropriate information and advice” is defined in section 3(1) of the Measure.

(2)

“community care services” are defined in s.46(3) of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 c. 19.