The Princess Royal Trust for Carers urges GPs to make small changes to help carers

  6 million carers in the UK , alongside GPs, help look after family, neighbours and friends; in fact, when it comes to caring they are probably the GPs greatest partners.  As a result of the HSA Carer Aware Awards, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers is urging GPs to make five changes in their practice to help support even more carers. 

By making just five changes you could really help the carers in your area!

1)     Remember that anyone can be a carer.  Male or female, young or old!

  2)     Put a carers notice board in your reception area, with up to date Carers Support information.

3)     Remember some carers need to organise people to sit with the person they care for.  Therefore please ensure carers are given flexibility over booking appointments and try and see them promptly.

4)     Work alongside Carers' Centres and social care departments to build a directory of services and ensure that the carer has all the support they need

5)    Keep key staff in the practice up to date with the carers and cared for condition, so that they can make informed judgements when dealing with the carer. 

Research already shows that 80% of carers admit their caring role has an adverse effect on their health.[1]  In fact even the 83% of carers that admit their health is not good, only regularly deal with GPs on behalf of the person they care for1 and often forget themselves. Yet the greatest worry for most carers is the concern over what would happen to the person they look after if they themselves became ill and could no longer fulfil their caring obligations.   GPs therefore have a vital role to play in this by encouraging those who care for someone to look after their own health and get regular check ups.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers is asking all GPs to look at these five small steps and see how they can be introduced. 

“The standard achieved by those nominated for these awards gives me great hope that some carers are receiving a good level of support from their GPs. The entries were very encouraging and I hope the good practice identified will be taken on by other GP practices across the UK . Carers are vital in the social care system and I believe that Health and Social Care counterparts should be doing as much as they can to ensure they receive the support that they need in their caring role.”

Stephen Ladyman MP,

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State  

A carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a friend, neighbour or relative who could not manage otherwise because of frailty, illness or disability.  They may even be juggling paid work with their unpaid caring responsibilities at home.

There are almost six million carers in the UK and they save an estimated £57billion each year.

HSA health plans are simple, low cost products, which help towards the cost of everyday healthcare. Cash benefits include cover for optical charges, dental treatment, osteopathy, chiropractic, consultation, chiropody and hospital in-patient to name but a few.  For further information please call 0800 08 54321 or visit www.hsa.co.uk

HSA has made a three-year commitment to support The Princess Royal Trust for Carers communications

(18/3/05)