Two new staff to help carers

Carmel Corrigan, will cover the Strabane, Londonderry and Limavady areas, working across all programmes of care.

Carmel previously worked with Praxis in dementia care. Carmel is a mum of two, and Carmel along with her husband has a substantial caring role for their son who has profound special needs.

Laura Ritchie, will work across all programmes of care within Omagh and Fermanagh. Prior to this role, Laura was a Social Work Assistant in social services and her background is Nursing and Midwifery. Laura also has a caring role for an elderly parent.

Cathy Magowan, Western Trust Carers Coordinator said: “Our aim is to focus on improving the support and advice available for carers in the communities across the Western Trust.

“Now that we have Laura and Carmel in post we will be able to provide local support and advice to carers in order to help them cope with the stress of caring for someone on an on-going basis.

“It is so important for carers to have access to information, advice and support to enable them to make informed choices to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

“The appointment of our Carer Development Workers will help to further contribute to carers receiving improved access to services and reduce social isolation.”

Alan Corry Finn, Director of Primary Care and Older Peoples Services, Western Trust added: “We have listened to carers and we are confident that now the Carers Support Coordinators are in post this will allow the Carers Support Team to progress the implementation of the regional and Western Trust Carers Strategies.”

As part of their role, Carmel and Laura, will ensure accurate and up to date information is available to carers and will provide information via the Trust’s Carers Newsletter, website, health fairs and other events.

Carmel and Laura are currently making contact with Carers Groups to provide information and promote Carers Assessment. If you are involved with a Carers Group and would like the Carers Development Worker to visit your group please make contact with them on: Laura Ritchie, Carers Development Worker, Carers Support Office, 2 Coleshill Road, Enniskillen, BT74 7HG. Contact Laura by email on [email protected] or telephone 028 6634 4000 or 028 6634 4180.

Carmel Corrigan, Carers Development Worker, Shantallow Health Centre, Racecourse Road, Londonderry BT48 8NL. Contact Carmel by email on [email protected] or Telephone 028 7135 5023.