Does your GP care about carers?

Nominations now open for Caring About Carers Awards 2013

Carers in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who feel that they have been helped and supported by their GP or GP Practice are being encouraged to nominate them for a Caring About Carers award.

Crossroads Care Cambridgeshire, a Network Partner of Carers Trust, the largest charity for carers, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and Carers UK are calling for nominations for the Caring About Carers Awards that recognise the work of GPs and GP practices in supporting unpaid carers across the UK.

Around one in ten patients in every GP practice is estimated to care for a relative or friend who is sick, disabled, or frail.  While attention is focused on supporting the needs of the person being cared for, a carer’s own health care and support needs can often be overlooked and it is common for carers to suffer from physical strain or mental health issues such as stress and depression.

Estelle Mitchell, Lead Carers Services Development Worker: “GPs are one of the key groups who have regular contact with carers and they play a vital role in making sure that carers get the support they need so they are able to continue in their caring role.  By taking care of carers, GPs are also protecting the health of the person they are caring for.”

Crossroads Care Cambridgeshire works closely with GPs in Cambridgeshire by providing the Carer Services Prescription, funded by NHS Cambridgeshire.  GPs at all Cambridgeshire surgeries can help carers who feel emotionally or physically overwhelmed by writing a prescription for them to receive a visit from a specialist worker who will discuss the most appropriate form of support.  This might include a free short break or information about caring, your rights, free services and benefits you might be entitled to.

Nominations can be made by email to [email protected] or by writing to:

Caring About Carers Awards 2013
The Royal College of General Practitioners
30 Euston Square
London NW1 2FB

Carers are asked to include in their nomination:

•           Their name, address and telephone number

•           The doctors name and surgery contact details; and

•           How the GP surgery supports them in their caring role.

Closing date for entries is 31 July 2013.

Download the poster here.