Sign inWe are trying to contact and identify anyone who is a patient of our practice and is either a carer or is receiving care from someone else.
Until now, this information has not been shown in patient records: we want to put that right, so that we can make sure that every carer knows about the wide range of supporting services which are available to help them
If you think you are a carer, please let us know, you can do this by:
Email – gccg.a85605@nhs.net
Telephone – 0191 413 3459
Or the next time you attend the surgery.
If you are not a carer and are not receiving care from someone else, you need do nothing – but if you know of some who is a carer, you’re welcome to pass on this information.
CARER SUPPORT
Do you look after someone who is unable to manage on their own because of illness or frailty, or who is suffering from physical or mental disability, or problems related to substance abuse? If you provide a significant amount of care directly to that person, without payment, you are a carer! ‘Directly’ means that you are providing care as a family member, friend or neighbour and not as a representative of a local council, charitable organisation or other similar body.
As a carer, you have access to a wide range of carer support services. This description really means what it says. The focus is upon the needs of the carer rather than the person receiving the care – though of course their needs will be taken into account – and what is on offer is support not interference!
We would like to identify all carers who are patients of this practice, and of course we’d like to know about any of our patients who rely on such care. We realise that a lot of people don’t think of themselves as carers: they are merely ‘looking after’ a family member or ‘helping out’ a friend or neighbour. Even if that’s how you see yourself, you are still very much a carer!
Carers fulfil a necessary and valuable role in the community, but that role can be very demanding, time consuming and isolating. We’d like to be sure that all carers within our practice know how to access support such as free advice on entailment to benefits or respite care and – just as importantly – know where to turn to find a friendly and understanding listening ear when it’s needed.
In England and Wales, carers have a legal right to appropriate assistance in accordance with Section 1 of the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995. This provides for an assessment focusing upon the needs of the carer, though it may, if appropriate, consider the needs of the person cared for as well. The idea of an assessment may seem rather off-putting, but it’s not about testing your ability. Its simply an opportunity to talk about your roles as a carer with someone from one of the local care support organisations, and to explore any help or support which could be provided. At the same time, the range of available support services will be explained. There is no charge, and you are under no obligation to take up any support which may be offered, but for your own sake and for the sake of the person you care for it makes very good sense to find out exactly what facilities are available.
If you would like to register, you can do so by:
Emailing us at gccg.a85605@nhs.net
or Telephoning us on 0191 413 3459
When we are contacted by yourself, we will need to ask you for the relevant details. These include:
YOUR DETAILS:
- Name
- DOB
- Address
- Home phone
- Mobile
- Email address
- Any other relevant info we need to be aware of
DETAILS OF THE PERSON YOU LOOK AFTER:
- Name
- DOB
- Address
- Home phone
