Do you look after someone?
Are you a Carer?
“A Carer is someone who provides unpaid help and support to a relative, friend, or neighbour who could not manage on their own due to illness, disability, frailty, physical impairment, mental ill health or substance misuse.”
Does this sound like you? If so, you are a Unpaid Carer. We are interested in identifying Carers, especially those people who may be caring without help or support. We know that Carers are often “hidden” looking after a family member or helping a friend or neighbour with day to day tasks and may not see themselves as a Carer.
We feel that caring for someone is an important and valuable role in the community, which is often a 24-hour job that can be very demanding and isolating for the Carer. We further believe Carers should receive appropriate support by way of access to accurate information on a range of topics such as entitlement to benefits and respite care and not least, a listening ear when things get too much.
Why Unpaid Carers are vital?
Unpaid Carers provide around 97% of the Care in the community and save the NHS in Wales over £8.1 billion each year. Barlow House Surgery recognises that Carers contribute a significant saving to the NHS by looking after relatives, neighbours or friends who might otherwise have to go into long term care. Young Carers, under the age of 18 may be particularly vulnerable due to their inexperience and lack of life-skills. Young Adult Carers, between the age of 18-25, can be the most hidden group of Carers in our society. Therefore we are committed to providing appropriate support and consideration to its patients who are Carers whatever their age.
Registering as a Carer – Benefit
If you are a Carer, please let your GP Surgery know. A Carers Registration/Referral Form is available in the surgery or by speaking to any staff member.
Why should you register as a Carer with your GP surgery?
Registering as a Carer may help your health care team to:
- understand your caring responsibilities.
- signpost you to information, help and support, either now or in the future.
- share information about the person you care for (with appropriate written consent).
- may provide more flexible appointments that reflect your caring role.
- offer you an annual flu jab (free).
- refer you to other services or organisations that might be able to help you.
Our Carer Leads are Kathryn Walters and Natalie Spicer, contact us on 01646 690674 or email: Enquiries.W92008@wales.nhs.uk a dedicated member of staff to help with Carer-related enquires. You can ask to speak to her by telephone, the Carer Lead has lots of information to share with you which may help. We look forward to hearing from you.
What is a Carer’s Needs Assessment?
As a Carer, you are entitled to have a Carers Needs Assessment by Social Services. It is a chance to talk about your needs as a Carer and the possible ways help could be given. It also looks at the needs of the person you care for. This could be done separately, or together, depending on the situation. There is no charge for an assessment. Every Carer is entitled to an assessment; however it is not an assessment of your ability to provide care. When you register with us as a Carer, the practice will offer you the chance of a referral.
Additional information and support
We have a dedicated Carers notice board in the waiting room with a lot of information and news of local events. Information can also be found at:
- Pembrokeshire County Council
- PCISS: Pembrokeshire Carers Information and Support Service
- Action for Children – Young Carers Service
- Wales/UK
- Hywel Dda University Health Board
- NHS Direct
- Carers Wales
- Carers Trust
- Direct Gov
- Citizens Advice Bureaux
- Dewis Cymru: information or advice about your well-being
- Age Cymru
- West Wales Action for Mental Health