Derbyshire Carers initiative reaches out to GPs.

Our Challenge

Derbyshire Carers Association is launching the Derbyshire ‘Carers Pledge’ during June’s Carers Week and will be requesting all GP practices throughout Derbyshire to consider signing up. There is already a great deal of work done in many GP practices and we want to share experiences and make sure that all Carers living in Derbyshire can expect the same service regardless of the surgery they are registered with. To ensure all Carers in Derbyshire are supported we will also be asking hospitals, schools and employers to recognise Carers and discover more about the support that is available in Derbyshire.

We hope that the Carers Pledge will ensure Carers feel valued and will be supported to continue in their caring role.

The Pledge asks that Derbyshire GPs:

• Maintain a Carers register within their practice
• Ensure there is good quality and accessible information available for Carers
• Invite Carers for the annual flu vaccination
• Improve the way that Carers are identified, supported and signposted
• Nominate a Carers Champion who will be a point of contact for identifying and promoting Carer support in the practice

In return we will:

• Provide up to date information and resources to be available within the practice
• Invite practice teams to Carers Express training events
• Support practices with setting up Carers events and services
• Present each practice with a Carers Pledge certificate and resources

Hospitals Carers Pledge
Many Carers start their caring journey within a hospital when a loved one has been diagnosed with an illness or disability or admitted for emergency care. Identifying and supporting Carers at the onset will reduce the likelihood of isolation, poor health and wellbeing and financial difficulties. Hospitals need dedicated workers who can identify Carers looking after patients and make sure that they get the support they need.

We want hospitals in Derbyshire to:

• Ensure there is good quality and accessible information available for Carers
• Improve the way that Carers are identified, supported and signposted
• Nominate Carers Champions who will be a point of contact for identifying and promoting carer support in the hospital

In return we will:

• Provide up to date information and resources to be available within the hospital
• Invite hospital teams to Carers Express events
• Support hospitals with setting up Carers events and services
• Present each hospital with a Carers Pledge Certificate and resources

We will be launching the Carers Pledge with a celebration event at the start of Carers Week on the 10TH June from 11 to 1pm at the DCA Chesterfield Centre followed by a ‘Carers Pledge Roadshow’ where we will spend the week visiting places that have signed the Pledge and the team will engage and offer suitable support .

For more information please call Helen Weston on 01246 222373 or email: helen.weston@derbyshirecarers.co.uk