Definition
A carer is someone (including children and adults) who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, friend or neighbour due to their disability, health condition, frailty, mental health problem, addiction or other health and care need, and cannot cope without their support.
We are committed to ensuring a partnership approach is adopted when working with carers. The carer’s role, expertise and understanding of the patient’s needs will be recognised and considered when planning patient’s care, treatment, and discharge.
Local NHS organisations and Hertfordshire County Council have collaboratively devised a 5-step pathway to support carers, accredited to Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust (HPFT). This pathway ensures uniformity in identifying and assisting carers across different entities.
Identify
We identify and support carers through a series of steps. Patients are asked about their caring responsibilities, and if confirmed, a “Cared for” status is assigned. Parental consent is required for minors before activating a care alert. We consult relatives or visitors to identify unpaid carers and ensure continuous support for the care recipient. Young carers are identified through family conversations, with necessary support provided and parental consent obtained. Upon reaching adulthood, their status updates to “Unpaid carer”.
Welcome
We value carers as essential partners in our work and strive to support them effectively. To ensure they receive the recognition and assistance they deserve, our colleagues are encouraged to help unpaid carers complete their carers passport application, discuss local support options outlined in the carer support package leaflet, and provide a pink supporting carers lanyard to increase their visibility in clinical areas.
Carer Experience Volunteers
Our Carer Experience Volunteer program provides essential support to carers and their families during their hospital stay. There are several types of volunteers:
- Carer Support Volunteers: Visit wards to support families, complete carer passport referrals, and provide pink supporting carers lanyards for visibility and recognition.
- Carer In-reach Volunteers: Reach out to families via phone calls outside regular visiting hours to ensure they receive support and resources.
- Carer Companion Volunteers: Offer companionship through activities and conversations to alleviate anxiety and provide comfort to unpaid carers.
- Carer Admin Volunteers: Manage logistical aspects of carer support, raise awareness through events, and ensure carers receive the assistance they deserve.
To request a visit, call 01438 286965 or email [email protected]
Visiting
John’s Campaign advocates for the rights of individuals receiving care and their families, highlighting the importance of respecting patients’ wishes and needs. The campaign recognizes carers—whether relatives, friends, or legal guardians—as essential experts in their loved ones’ care and promotes a partnership between carers and healthcare professionals for better outcomes.
The East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust supports this campaign by acknowledging carers’ invaluable role and offering open visiting rights from 8am to 10pm. Carers can also visit outside these hours upon presentation of their carer passports, ensuring continuous support and involvement in the care process.
Assess and Support
Carers Passports:
The Carers Passport offers key benefits both in hospital and within the community:
In Hospital:
- Recognition: Formal acknowledgment of carers’ contributions.
- Support: Allow involvement for tailored care plans, enhancing holistic care.
- Access: May provide access to hospital amenities and support services (e.g. discounted parking, concessions at our onsite café and discounts at the pharmacy shop)
In the Community:
- Continuity of Care: Ensures consistent communication of needs across settings.
- Access to Resources: Provides access to community support services and respite care.
- Empowerment: Helps carers advocate for themselves and those they care for.
- Collaboration: Fosters integration between healthcare, social services, and community organizations.
Overall, the Carers Passport enhances recognition, support, and collaboration, improving the well-being of both carers and care recipients.
Needs and Carer Assessments:
Getting a carer’s assessment is essential for Unpaid carers to access crucial support. It allows carers to discuss their needs and challenges, aiming to improve both their quality of life and that of the individual they care for.
Needs Assessment:
- Overview: A free needs assessment by the local council or trust evaluates care needs and explores available services or direct payments.
- Process: It’s a supportive conversation with a trained professional, not a test, to address difficulties and impacts of caregiving.
Our Carer Practitioners help facilitate these assessments, guiding carers and their loved ones through available support options, including respite care and future planning. They also emphasize the importance of having an “in case of emergency” plan, ensuring that Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) can arrange alternative care if needed.
Click here to access in case of emergency plan.
Help with health costs
While most NHS treatments are provided free of charge, certain costs may still apply, such as prescription charges or travel expenses to hospital appointments. It’s essential for individuals, including carers, to explore available options for financial assistance to cover these health-related costs.
Click here to access NHS help with health costs.
Involvement
We support active carer involvement in patient care while respecting patient preferences. We obtain consent before including carers in discussions about care and consider their insights on needs and planning. Carers can assist with hospital care with consent and supervision. All details are documented in a shared agreement accessible to both carers and the care team, ensuring transparency and better outcomes.
Carers Shared Care Agreement
The Carer Shared Care Agreement is a vital document that defines the roles and responsibilities of carers and our clinical team. It ensures carers, who bring valuable insights into the patient’s needs, are involved in all aspects of care, including medication discussions, discharge planning, and self-care advice. The agreement outlines expectations, such as visiting hours and specific tasks, and empowers carers to communicate what is important for both them and the patient. It also includes relevant information from specialist teams. Documented on our digital platform, a copy is provided to the carer, ensuring clarity and continuity of care.
Carer Experience Survey
The Carer Survey is a key tool for assessing how effectively we involve carers in the care of their loved ones. It gathers valuable feedback on their experiences within our hospital, helping us pinpoint areas for improvement and recognize our successes. By participating in this survey, carers contribute to enhancing our support services, ensuring they feel valued, informed, and central to the care team.
Add link to carers survey?
Support through change
To ensure smooth discharge and support for carers, we:
Discharge Information: Provide a discharge letter with care details, notify the GP if the patient is a new carer, supply two weeks’ medication if needed, arrange equipment, and offer support and follow-up information.
Check Carer Readiness: Confirm the carer’s willingness and document it.
Prepare for Discharge: Ensure the carer knows the follow-up plan and has the right equipment.
Provide Resources: Share details on local Carers Organizations and Community Services, and note carer involvement in referrals.
Discharge Planning: Keep the carer informed about discharge timing, involve them in preparations, and confirm details with adequate notice.
5 Step Checklist:
Contact us:
[email protected] or 01438286965
