MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, James Dornan, has applauded the work of Glasgow South East Carers Centre.

After visiting the centre, and taking time to shadow two carers in his constituency, the MSP says he has the highest respect for those who have literally put their life on hold to care for someone else.

Mr Dornan has also tabled a parliamentary motion (below) acknowledging the huge contribution that the carers centre, and carers across Scotland, could make to reshaping care for older people through the change fund.

Mr Dornan said: "I don't think most people realise the massive effort of carers across the country, they are literally the often unsung heroes of Scotland.

"When I took time out from being an MSP and shadowed two carers in my constituency, it really brought it home to me what is expected of a carer.

"Both of them had literally put their life on hold, giving up successful careers and social lives, to look after their loved ones. That's a huge ask of anyone, but for them it wasn't a choice; just the right thing to do.

"I'm keen to hear from carers about their ideas on how we can ensure that policy is developed with them in mind. That's why I'm looking forward to visiting Castlemilk Carers Centre in my constituency, to hear first-hand what policy makers can do to ensure that we have a care system that is fit for purpose.

"Carers come in all ages, genders, races, religions and cultures. So it's important that we listen to the experiences of a wide range of carers, all with their own unique story to tell.

"It's something that I intend to do across my constituency over the next five years."

Note:

The text of James Dornan's motion is below.

That the Parliament acknowledges the findings of " Always On Call, Always Concerned: A Survey of the Experiences of Older Carers" carried out by The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, and notes the findings which identify the risks to health and wellbeing for older carers and the need for this group to be better recognised as equal partners in caring for their loved ones.  Furthermore, that the Parliament acknowledges the work of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers in both identifying and providing emotional and practical support to over 13,000 older carers and the specific work of Glasgow South East Carers Centre, part of Dixon Community and the huge contribution that Glasgow South East and other Carers Centres in Glasgow and across Scotland could make to the Reshaping Care for Older People agenda through the Change Fund.