Carers

Our Carers' Lead is Tania, one of our Receptionists.

Support for carers

Do you regularly support an adult, or care for someone with daily tasks, a loved one, or a friend? You may or may not identify yourself as a carer, but the caring you do entitles you to information, advice, and support.

It is really important that when you're caring for someone that you look after yourself too.

This is particularly important at the moment when some people are increasing the amount of unpaid care they provide.

Register with your GP as a carer

We recommend you tell your GP if you are a carer so they can offer you advice and support. They can also give you longer appointments where possible, a free flu jab, and an annual review.

Your GP practice is likely to have a carers lead. They are there to help you, with:

  • information on any medical conditions and treatments for the person you care for - to help you feel more confident caring
  • special NHS services such as patient transport to hospital appointments and continence services
  • advice on other services and welfare benefits
  • home visits to you or the person you care for, if it is difficult to attend the surgery
  • appointments for both you and the person you care around the same time, so you don't have to make so many trips
  • repeat prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy, to save you picking them up

Your GP will also be aware that you care for somebody should you ever need treatment yourself.

So talk to the receptionist, carers lead, or any member of staff at the GP's practice who can help you.

Tell Us If You Are A Carer

Carers' Community Network

The NHS England Commitment to Carers team holds bi-monthly lunch and learn webinars aiming to bring together carers and professionals from across the country in an informal atmosphere to collaborate, learn and drive the delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan commitment to carers.

n-compass is very excited and proud to showcase its online digital support platform ‘The Carers Community Network’ as part of its innovative support offer for carers. They are one of the leading providers of specialist support services for carers in the North of England. They wish to share their blended approach of face to face support and a digital online offer to ensure Carers always get the support of their choice.

To register your interest or if you have any questions please email: england.nhsthinkcarer@nhs.net and please do share with your networks.

Further Help & Support

There is a wealth of information on the NHS website about carers and caring. Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.

Finance and Law

Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.

  • Benefits for carers

    Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring role

  • Benefits for the under-65s

    Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to.

    Benefits for the over-65s

    Advice and information on financial support for older people with a disability or illness.

  • Carer's Assement

    How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits

  • Other benefits

    Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring

Contact Carers Direct

Telephone: 0808 802 0202

Helpline Information: http://www.nhs.uk/carersdirect/carerslives/updates/pages/carersdirecthelpline.aspx

Email: CarersDirect@nhschoices.nhs.uk

Office Hours: Lines are open 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm at weekends. Calls are free from UK landlines.