PRINCESS Anne has helped put Leuchie in the national spotlight after attending a major symposium on the future of neurological respite care in Scotland.
The Princess Royal, who has been patron of the charity, based near North Berwick, for 10 years, chaired a discussion as part of a symposium that brought together policymakers, funders, academics, care providers and business leaders to explore the future of neurological respite care in Scotland at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh on January 20.
The day, organised by the charity, set out to address the growing challenge of meeting rising demand for high-quality neurological respite care at a time when neurological conditions are the leading cause of disability across the world.
Leuchie provides respite and short breaks for people with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s.
In Scotland, one in six people are expected to be affected by a neurological condition within the next five years.
Opening the symposium, Graeme Hartop said that the charity’s ambition was to reach 5,000 people a year by 2031.
Princess Anne spoke about the charity's history and position in neurological respite care.
Small-group discussions took place, with Her Royal Highness joining each table to hear reflections from the guests' conversations on how to encourage "collaboration, innovation and practical next steps" in the care sector.
Mark Bevan, Leuchie's chief executive, highlighted the lived experience of people with neurological conditions and their families in his speech.
He drew on the role of Leuchie as a "national hub of expertise", with the centre delivering more than 100,000 hours of specialist care each year.
Mr Bevan said: "The number of people with a long-term condition is growing, Leuchie is full and our NHS and Social Care Services are overwhelmed.
"We want to explore new ways of thinking about neurological care and how, as a society, we can come together to meet the ever-growing demand for high-quality, bespoke services which improve health, re-enable independence and connect people locally.
"It was inspiring to hear the discussions chaired by our patron, HRH The Princess Royal, whose patronage demonstrates a passion about carer-centred, people-led services.
"The event helped clarify what is most needed as we respond to rising demand and consider partnerships to achieve the common good."
The symposium ended with a presentation about unpaid carers by Kate Hogarth, chief executive of Shared Care Scotland.
She said her report had found that, on average, unpaid carers provided more than 50 hours of care per week but only 7.5 per cent were able to access a break of often less than two hours.
The Princess Royal frequently visits Leuchie House respite care centre and has previously praised its work.
In 2013, she launched the ‘Leuchie Forever Fund’, a new fundraising initiative for the charity, of which she then became patron.
Ms Hogarth said: “It was a great privilege to take part in the Leuchie Symposium alongside HRH The Princess Royal and to represent the work of Shared Care Scotland.
"Bringing together such a dynamic group of people to discuss short breaks for carers was truly inspiring and the discussions offered a valuable opportunity to explore themes of innovation and collaboration across sectors.
"We are at a pivotal moment for unpaid carers as we work to make the new legal right to a break a reality.
"Conversations like these are vital in shaping how we ensure this right reaches its full potential and empowers all unpaid carers to access the breaks they need."
The symposium marked the beginning of a longer programme of events aimed at developing partnerships and finding solutions to ways carers and people living with neurological conditions can be supported.
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