The Trust recognises the vital role that carers play in ensuring the health and well-being of those they care for. The Trust is committed to ensuring a partnership approach to working with carers is adopted in which the role of carers, along their expertise and understanding of the patient’s needs, are recognised and taken into account when planning patient care, treatment and discharge.
Carers may not always perceive themselves as carers and may just consider themselves as partners, relatives or friends. Staff are expected to help carers recognise the extent of their involvement and commitment so that their needs as carers can be assessed and supported.
There are two important documents that many carers find helpful: the ‘carer’s badge’ scheme and ‘All About Me’ passport. You can ask the ward for the ‘About Me’ document for the person you are the carer for, and the carer’s badge for you.
Read more about our flexible visiting here – Flexible visiting times for carers
Care Partner Badge
Our care partners badge recognises that as a carer you should be considered as an expert and equal partner and we need to work with you to achieve this.
Having a ULHT Care Partner badge on, means you will be visible and recognised for the incredibly important role you play. You will be allowed open visiting on a ward and we will work with you to agree the level of input you want to retain during the hospital stay and not make assumptions or take advantage of you.
Please speak to the ward/department staff who will issue you with a badge and a care partner agreement.
‘All About Me’ passport
The ‘About Me’ document has been developed to help staff get to know your relative or friend, to communicate with them better, help them to feel safe and secure while in hospital and to record how and when you want to be involved.
The Lincolnshire Carers Service
This service is for people across Lincolnshire who look after a relative or friend who due to ill health, physical or mental illness, disability, frailty, or addiction cannot manage without their support. Delivered in partnership by Lincolnshire County Council’s customer service centre and charity Carers FIRST the Lincolnshire carer’s service provides information, advice, guidance, carers assessments, training and activities, giving carers an opportunity to have a break from their caring role and help them to get the support they need.
The Lincolnshire customer service centre is the central point of access for this service on 01522 782224 email [email protected]
Find out more about Carers First on their website.
Young carers
A Young Carer is someone aged under 18 helping and supporting a family member or friend due to disability, mental ill-health, illness or substance misuse.
A young carer may be providing support with:
- cooking, housework and shopping and other practical tasks
- physical care, such as helping someone in and out of bed or up and down the stairs
- personal care, such as assistance with dressing, toileting and administering medication
- managing the family budget
- collecting prescriptions and arranging GP or hospital appointments
- helping with communication for example using British Sign Language, Makaton or translating for someone who has English as a second language.
- looking after brothers or sisters because parent is unable to or due to sibling’s additional needs
- emotional support – providing reassurance, compassion and encouragement.
It’s really important that young carers are identified and offered the right support at the right time so they do not feel overwhelmed by their caring role. Young carers exist because someone in their family needs their support. Caring can be positive, strengthening family relationships and building life skills but it may also feel lonely and can affect attendance and attainment at school.
Young carers are often not recognised for the role they take on and the Young Carers Card can help facilitate conversations between children, young people and health professionals.
For more information please contact Lincolnshire Young Carers Service on 01522 553275 or email [email protected]