Support for Carers |
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Support for people with caring responsibilitiesGreat Western Hospital works in close partnership with Swindon Carers Centre to ensure that hospital services are developed to support Carers in their caring responsibility. A Carer is a family member, friend or neighbour who looks after someone who due to age, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability cannot manage on their own. |
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| This Trust appreciates that families, friends and neighbours have an important role in meeting the care needs of many patients, both before admission to hospital and following discharge. This also includes children and young people with caring responsibilities. | |
We want to promote the health and independence of Carers, by involving them during the patient’s stay in hospital, and in planning his or her discharge home. If you are a Carer and have to come into hospital it is important that you make hospital staff aware of your caring responsibilities so that you can get support while you are in hospital and once you are discharged home. Sources of informationInformation for Carers is available on notice boards and leaflet racks on most wards and in outpatient areas. Please ask a member of staff if you cannot find this information. You may want to contact Swindon Carers Centre on 01793 531133, or pick up a copy of their leaflet and complete the FREEPOST card. A copy of their leaflet can be downloaded here. If you are a child or young person with caring responsibilities you can download a copy of Swindon Carers Centre’s leaflet for Young Carers. Swindon Carers Centre, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, is based in Wood Street, Old Town, Swindon. Swindon Carers Centre is a charity that exists to make a positive difference to the lives of all people in Swindon who have caring responsibilities for a family member, friend or neighbour who due to age, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability cannot manage on their own. Swindon Carers Centre can help if you want to: |
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More information is available from the Swindon Carers Centre website: As a Carer you are entitled to a Carers Assessment. A wide range of information, including how to access a Carers Assessment, and a leaflets request page, is available for Carers on the Swindon Borough Council website: There is further information for Carers on the Directgov website. This includes information about support services; money matters; carers’ rights; caring for someone while working; and looking after yourself while you are caring. The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) provides confidential advice and support to patients, relatives and carers, helping you to sort out any concerns you may have about the care we provide, guiding you through the different services available from the NHS. More information is available on the PALS section of this website. For further information about carers rights download a copy of this useful booklet produced by Carers UK: Looking after someone: a guide to carers’ rights and benefits 2010. If you live outside Swindon please contact your local Carers Centre:
The Princess Royal Trust Carers Support North Wilts The Princess Royal Trust Carers Service in West Berkshire Carers Support West Wilts Wiltshire Young Carers Carers Gloucestershire South and Vale Carers Centre |
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