NHS Borders is the first Scottish territorial Health Board to be recognised for its commitment to supporting employees who are carers and has been awarded the Carers Scotland ‘Carer Positive’ kitemark.

The award is presented to employers in Scotland who have a working environment where carers are valued and supported.

A carer is defined as someone who looks after an ill, frail or disabled family member, friend or partner. In Scotland it is estimated that around one in seven workers are juggling work and caring, with the number of carers across the UK forecast to increase by around 50% over the next 20 years.

NHS Borders provides options for flexible working for people who are carers, including condensed hours, part-time working, job-share, emergency family leave, home working and flexible working.

Edwina Cameron, Interim Director of Workforce and Planning for NHS Borders, said: “I am delighted that NHS Borders is setting an example by becoming the first Scottish territorial Health Board to receive this award. Being a carer can be very demanding and statistics show that as many as one in five carers give up work due to their caring responsibilities. Having a supportive employer can be the difference between a carer remaining at work or feeling that they have no choice but to give up.” Simon Hodgson, Director of Carers Scotland, added: “NHS Borders has demonstrated its commitment to providing a supportive working environment for employees who are carers. It rightly deserves to be recognised as a Carer Positive employer and is to be congratulated on becoming the first territorial health board in Scotland to receive this award.”