Inverclyde Council together with Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership is a participant in the national power of attorney campaign, together with other local partners.
Every year thousands of people in Scotland lose capacity to make decisions for themselves- this may be through an accident, head injury, stroke or as a result of an ongoing progressive illness. Without making an arrangement for a Power of Attorney no one can act on your behalf if this situation arises. This can leave you and your family, or the people looking after you if you lose capacity to make your own decisions in very difficult positions and unable to act on your behalf.
You can think and act now – if ill health or an accident means you can no longer make your own decisions, who do you want to do that for you? A power of attorney enables you to decide who would be able to take decisions on your behalf if required, and to express your particular wishes about what you would like to happen in the future.
Within Inverclyde there are a number of services that can assist you to plan for your future.
If you need assistance to make enquiries about taking this forward the Circles Network Advocacy Service based at 21 Grey Place, Greenock PA15 1YF can support you with this. Telephone 01475 730797.
If you are a carer you might want to be in touch with our Carers Centre to help you think about what you need to consider. They are based at 68-70 Cathcart Street, Greenock, PA15 1DD.
If you currently have support from the Inverclyde Health and Social Care services e.g. General Practitioner, District Nurse / CPN or Homecare Services you can discuss this with them and they will assist with starting the process.
Scotland-wide Resources
Alzheimer Scotland provides a wide range of specialist services for people with dementia and their carers. We offer personalised support services, community activities, information and advice, at every stage of the dementia journey. www.alzscot.org
Local phone number for Alzheimer Scotland: 01573 400342
Legal aid is help towards the costs of legal advice and representation, for those who qualify. It is designed to help individuals on low and modest incomes gain access to the legal system.
Find out more at www.slab.org.uk
The Office of the Public Guardian supports and advises those assisting someone with mental incapacity. They can be contacted on 01324 678300. Their website offers a lot of helpful information.
A solicitor can help you put Power of Attorney in place. You can find a solicitor by contacting the Law Society of Scotland at https://www.lawscot.org.uk/
Solicitors for Older People Scotland (SOPS) is a group of solicitors dedicated to providing legal services to older and vulnerable people in a caring way. SOPS members are committed to providing Power of Attorney under the Legal Aid scheme to clients who qualify.
Find out more at www.sops.org.uk
Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland: CommonConcerns_PowersOfAttorney_July2020.pdf (mwcscot.org.uk)
NHS inform: Legal and practical issues | NHS inform
