A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support. You don't have to live with your cared for person to be a carer.

Many NHS Lothian staff have a caring role supporting a family member or friend, and the Staff Carers Network has been created to give them a safe and confidential space to make connections and access support. Any member of staff who has an unpaid caring role can join the network.

If you would like to join the confidential mailing list email loth.carers@nhs.scot to receive invitations to the network meetings and notes if you cannot attend.

NHS Lothian launched the Carer Passport in 2023. The Carer Passport is a record of agreed actions following a conversation about the flexibility needed to combine work and care. This conversation involves balancing the needs of the employee with the needs of the organisation, using existing organisational policies.

You can find the passport and additional information on the HR Online Carer Passport page (intranet page).