I thought I'd better not bore you with another shot of Woody as my main pic but I haven't had a lot of time today as I didn't get home from work until 5pm! I can't work long days like this as I'm beginning to feel rather jaded.
I sit on a Panel who decides how much and to whom NHS Carers Grant is awarded to and we had so many to get through today. The Panel took 3.5 hours! Unfortunately, we cannot give carers all the money they apply for so it is difficult to decide on the amount as we only have so much money to go round. We awarded more money than we should have anyway but hopefully, it will pan out over the year. Most carers are appreciative of anything they get but there are some families who try it on and ask for money from different members of the family so we have to be careful as this would prevent other carers from getting anything at all. One family applied for 7 members to get an award and they cannot possibly all be providing that amount of care! Also some carers who have been awarded in the past (they are only allowed to apply once a year) seem to expect it as their right. The money is awarded to carers (unpaid family members) whose caring has affected their health and most carers ask for things like treatments for stress, back injuries such as chiropractor treatment, massages, etc. although some ask for things like a lightweight hoover or gardening as this can make a huge difference especially to elderly carers. They can apply for money to have a short break away but some people ask for far too much and they are restricted in the amount. From September there will be new criteria so that only the main carer can apply which should make things easier for those of us that sit on the panel.
Sounds like a complex task. And like every area there will be those battling on in dire need that you don't want to miss - pretty stressful I should think!
Your job sounds very stressy.....and on the other end of the scale is my dad of 86 (quadruple bypass) looking after my 83 year old step mum with severe Parkinsons and doesn't ask for a penny, as he thinks it is his duty to look after his wife! They only reluctantly got a blue disabled badge recently!
@pixiemac I know Sarah as I often meet people like them and sometimes manage to persuade them that they should apply for things that could help them. Their age group though are reluctant and think that it's charity but it's not as they are the ones who have paid into the system
Your job sounds very stressy.....and on the other end of the scale is my dad of 86 (quadruple bypass) looking after my 83 year old step mum with severe Parkinsons and doesn't ask for a penny, as he thinks it is his duty to look after his wife! They only reluctantly got a blue disabled badge recently!