A FORMER chairman of Carers of East Lothian (CoEL) has been appointed carers’ representative on the Integration Joint Board (IJB) for East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership.

David Binnie has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the field of caring, as an unpaid carer for 30 years and also via his role with CoEL, which supports carers throughout the county.

Mr Binnie also served as a director and vice-chair of Couple Counselling Lothian, a service that provides relationship counselling and support.

He said: “Being an unpaid carer is one of the most challenging roles in life.

“It demands commitment, resilience, sacrifice and love amongst many, many other things.

“We find ourselves dealing with challenges and stresses that we’d never previously imagined.

“Through the IJB’s directions, support has been given to a wide range of advice and practical support services to unpaid carers.

“I’m pleased to have been invited to continue to highlight the profile of unpaid carers and the immense contribution that they make.

“I want to support the voice of unpaid carers across East Lothian being heard at the IJB and help aid services being shaped to meet their needs and priorities.”

Mr Binnie’s role as carers’ representative is to ensure that the views and interests of unpaid carers are taken into account by the IJB, which is responsible for planning, resourcing and overseeing the delivery of integrated health and social care services in East Lothian.

Councillor Shamin Akhtar, the local authority’s cabinet spokesperson for health and social care, welcomed Mr Binnie’s appointment and praised his work.

She said: “It’s great news that David has been appointed to this role as he has been making a really valuable contribution in raising awareness of the issues impacting on carers and HSCP services.”