Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care in Surrey has developed a Carers’ Charter, a document that formally recognises the support the hospice offers its carers.
The document includes the definition of what a carer is, along with the ways in which the hospice is committed to supporting its patients’ carers.
The hospice has also drawn up a Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT) to help carers consider what personal support they may need to help them in their caring role. It is currently being piloted and will soon be rolled out to the carers of Phyllis Tuckwell patients. The hospice also works in partnership with Action for Carers and The Princess Royal Trust, both of whom offer support for carers.
Nicola Casey-Simmons, Carer Champion at Phyllis Tuckwell, says:
“We provide a great deal of support and advice for the carers of our patients. We run weekly ‘Open House’ sessions which offer patients and carers the opportunity to ‘drop in’ and find out more about the services we offer.
“We also offer our carers Complementary Therapies such as massage and reflexology and hold a Carers Support Group once a fortnight on a Monday morning at the Beacon Centre.”
It is estimated that carers save the economy £1.8 billion pounds in Surrey alone, yet many juggle care with work and family life, sometimes even struggling with poor health themselves.
Carers are being recognised during Carers Week, the annual campaign that raises awareness of the contribution unpaid carers make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also aims to help people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.
Carers Week runs until June 16.
For more information visit Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care
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