Developments to increase identification of carers and support when someone is in hospital
What we did
We previously reported on what local carers had to say about what happens when the person they care for is discharged from hospital. We made several recommendations about how things could be improved for carers. You can read more here.
Since then we worked with St George’s Hospital to hear more about how carers can be involved more, particularly around improving arrangements for leaving hospital.
After our earlier work influenced a toolkit for hospitals to improve identification and support for carers, we were keen to follow developments so we held an event in partnership with St George’s Hospital in late 2023.
People told us about the importance of promoting and signposting to how carers can take care of their health, (including signposting), keeping carers integral to all aspects of their friend or family member’s stay with communication throughout diagnosis, care and discharge and ensuring communication is in plain English and that communication support is provided if needed. Read more here.
What difference did this make?
St George’s Hospital has been running a carers’ hospital discharge group and Wendy Doyle, Group Head -Patient Experience and Engagement at the hospital, has been driving efforts to improve for the experience of carers at St George’s and Epsom and St Hellier Hospital Group.
- A support for carers' website was co-designed by a Carer and Governor of St George’s.
- A Carers Awareness Training programme is now open to all staff offered virtually, and bespoke sessions tailored to departmental requirements.
- A patient/carer couple, members of the carers hospital discharge group, were also invited to be part of the St George’s Patient Led Assessment of the Care Environment (PLACE) and reported that carer ward packs were present and correct on the wards visited and being used. Staff reported confidence in supporting carers.
- The hospital is now able to record and track if carers’ have been identified and referred to the carers centre.
Further plans to support carers are developing
- Multiple engagement events to create a carers’ charter and carers’ policy. This work in itself is bringing more involvement from carers and lots of further feedback about how things can be improved.
- Nationally an carers’ contingency plan is being rolled out as part of an online Universal Care Plan to help support in situations where a carer becomes unwell to make sure services can better support the carer and the person they care for.
Support for carers currently in Wandsworth
If you help someone in Wandsworth with their day to day living, one key place to look for advice and support is Wandsworth Carers' Centre. They can signpost you to many other sources of support that you might need.
You can also speak to the council or Wandsworth Carers' Centre about an assessment. More information is available here.
Helping someone else, our own health and wellbeing can often take second priority. We would encourage you to make sure you think about maintaining your own wellbeing to help you and the person you care for. You can speak to your GP and they will give you longer appointments if you are a carer. It is also worth considering how to maintain your mental health and wellbeing. Wandsworth Carers' Centre and Talk Wandsworth could help.
What's next?
We will continue to find out about developments to supporting carers.
