Looking after someone?
Caring for someone can be very difficult and many people find that they need extra help with the care they provide. This page provides lots of help and advice both specific to Blofield Surgery and external advice centers.
BLOFIELD SURGERY – Carers Protocol
The practice has a protocol for the identification of carers and a mechanism for the referral of carers for social services.
Definition of a Carer
Individuals irrespective of age, who provide or supervise a substantial amount of care on a regular basis of a child, relative, partner or neighbour who is unable to manage on their own due to illness, disability, frailty, mental distress or impairment.
The term “carer” would not normally apply if the person is:
- A paid carer
- A volunteer from a voluntary agency
- Anyone providing personal assistance for payment either in cash or kind
A carer can be a child looking after an older person or parent, or an older person looking after a disabled partner. The definition may be quite wide-ranging.
A Carer’s help may include tasks such as washing and dressing, managing money, cooking, housework, shopping, washing and ironing.
Identification of Carer
There are two methods of identification – Self Identification and Practice Identification and the Practice has put in place mechanisms for both of these.
Self Identification
- The Practice displays a poster asking carers to let the Practice know about their caring responsibilities. Information regarding the availability of Carers information booklets is also displayed.
- During seasonal times e.g. Flu clinics, higher profile is given to information for carers and a notice board is dedicated to this information at this time.
- Self Referral Forms, which are sent to Carers and Adult Care Services, are displayed in reception to allow carers to complete and hand in to the Practice. A copy of this referral form can be found here
Practice Identification
- If the Practice writes to a patient, perhaps as part of the flu vaccination campaign, they may be asked to complete a referral form if they are a carer.
- All Health Professionals in the surgery complete referral forms when they ascertain a patient is a carer.
- All carer registrations will, in the first instance, be reviewed by the patient’s usual doctor who will confirm that the patient is competent to give a valid informed consent.
Following Identification of Carer
- The Practice Carers Lead is Julie Sutton.
- Identified Carers must provide written consent from the person they care for in order for clinical information to be shared with the Carer.
- If sufficient details are known and both the carer and/or cared for are patients at this practice they should be linked in the clinical system.
Referral of Carers to Norfolk County Council Adult Services for Carer’s Assessment
- Once a patient has been identified and recorded as a carer, the practice will offer to refer the patient to Adult Services for a carer’s assessment via the Carers Caseworker at the appropriate local office.
- The Practice will also offer to refer the patient to Help and Care who will provide advice and support to the patient in their caring role.
- For young carers under the age of 21, the practice should still refer the patient to the relevant Carers Caseworker who will then contact the Young Carers Officer
Documents