Carers

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Do you look after someone who couldn’t manage without your help and support? If so, you are a carer.

Carers

Do you look after someone who couldn’t manage without your help and support? If so, you are a carer.

The Trust recognises and values the contribution carers make and the expert knowledge they have about the person they are supporting. We acknowledge caring can be rewarding and satisfying, but it can also be tiring and stressful. 

This section provides information to support you, both as a carer who is being cared for in hospital, or a carer who is caring for someone using the hospital services. 

For full details on visiting times, how to find us, car parking, maps and the facilities we have available, please visit this page.

Potential fraudulent campaign targeting unpaid carers

We want to alert you to marketing campaign that targets unpaid carers as there are strong concerns about its legitimacy.

The campaign can be seen via its website: Carers Card UK - Carers ID Card

You will see that the campaign asks unpaid carers to buy a Carers Card UK via a prominent online button. People clicking through will be asked to give their bank details.

The website prominently displays the logos of organisations widely respected among the unpaid carer community, including the NHS, Carers Trust and Carers UK.

Carers Trust have been in touch with us and notified that the NHS and Carers UK have not consented for their logo to be used to help market the Carers Card UK. We understand that the NHS have referred this matter.

Our strong advice is that we recommend unpaid carers do NOT purchase the Carers Card UK.

If you have any concerns, please contact our Adviceline on 0113 380 4300.

Local carers support organisations

Do you need someone to talk to, a listening ear, information, support or advice?

The local carer support organisations offer information and support about help that is available. This includes how to arrange the support you need; whether this is related to benefits and finances, equipment, or details of local support groups. They also provide a 'listening ear' and emotional support. In the area covered by our Trust, these organisations are:

Carers Wakefield & District

25 King Street, Wakefield, WF1 2SR

Carers Count (Kirklees)

Brian Jackson House, New North Parade, Huddersfield, HD1 5JP

Young carers

Young carers are children between the ages of 5 and 19 years who help to look after a member of the family who is sick, disabled, has mental health problems, or is misusing drugs or alcohol. Wakefield District Young Carers and Kirklees Young Carers provide valuable support to help reduce the caring responsibilities and encourage them to access local services such as sports clubs, support groups and health centres.

Useful information is available from:

 Up to date links to useful organisations are available via the Carers Wakefield & District website or Carers Count (Kirklees) website.

All carers are encouraged to register as a carer with their local GP. Local Carers' support services can help carers apply for an emergency ‘carer card’ that can provide peace of mind that contingency plans are accessible to all should any unplanned emergency occur to you as the carer.

Available support

Hospital-based Carer Support Workers

Alongside Wakefield Council’s Public Health Department and Carers Wakefield & District we have developed a support service of Hospital based Carer Support Workers. 

The Carer Support Workers will work with patients and colleagues to identify and support carers whilst the person they care for is in hospital, offering information and advice, preparing them to be able to continue caring once the person is discharged. Support is available to all carers by contacting the relevant local support organisations listed above.

Carers Passport

Although visiting restrictions are currently in place we support the principles of humane, respectful and compassionate care associated with John’s Campaign.

We have a Carers Passport available which supports the rights of carers to remain with loved ones who would benefit from their support in hospital and information about some of the services available to carers.

If you need support as a Carer, please contact Carers Wakefield. 

Family, Friends and Carers’ Charter

We have co-produced a Family, Friends and Carers’ Charter alongside Carers Wakefield & District, Wakefield Council, carers and volunteers. By listening to carers’ knowledge about the person they care for, involving carers in decisions about the patient’s care whilst they are in hospital, we hope to ensure that carers feel valued, involved and informed. This Charter explains what you can expect from us, the Trust and what we would like from you in return.

View the friends-family-and-carers-charter.pdf [pdf] 87KB

Relatives overnight stay rooms

If you find yourself in a position where you need to stay unexpectedly, we have a small number of overnight stay rooms available at Pinderfields Hospital that provide privacy, dignity and a place to get some well needed rest. The rooms, designed for relatives, friends and carers of patients who are in the palliative or critical care stages of their treatment, include drinks making facilities, reclining chairs with bedding and a bathroom.

Speak to a member of ward staff to access one of these rooms. The rooms are available for one nights’ stay and are to be vacated by 11am the following day to allow for cleaning.

MY Space rooms

In collaboration with carers and staff from Carers Wakefield & District, alongside Wakefield Council, we have developed spaces for patients, family, friends and carers to spend time away from the bedside, to speak with professionals or as a place of privacy and comfort at what can be a distressing time.

Family Support rooms

We have a number of ‘family support rooms’ situated on our elderly care wards. Designed with a fitted wardrobe complete with a fold-away bed to enable family and carers to stay in the same room overnight and be physically close to their loved ones who are living with dementia or in their final days.

My Carers Toolkit

The ‘My Carers Toolkit’ has been produced by West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership to offer support and guidance for carers during the COVID-19 pandemic.   

The toolkit includes a range of resources and support to help both carers and their loved ones to stay well and manage their health and wellbeing including details of Carer support groups in their area.

Click here to view the toolkit

Carers UK Digital Resource for Carers

Wakefield Council and Kirklees Council have invested in the Digital Resource for Carers. This resource brings together a number of products and online resources to provide comprehensive information to carers, to promote self-care, and direct carers to relevant local services/support.

The core elements of the digital resource are:

  • About Me - building resilience for caring’ - E-learning:
    Identify and find resources, technologies and sources of support.
  • ‘Jointly’ - A care co-ordination app:
    Makes caring for someone less stressful and more organised by making communication and coordination between those who share the care as easy as a text message.
  • Carers UK guides - Free Publications:
    Essential reading including ‘Upfront Guide to Caring’,Looking after someone: Carers Rights Guide’ and ‘Being Heard - A self-advocacy guide for carers’.

Access these resources here

Create an account using your free access code:

  • Wakefield: DGTL7298
  • Kirklees: DGTL7419

Tell us what you think

When someone you care for is in hospital, it can be a very worrying and stressful time. Don’t be afraid to voice your concerns to ward or community staff. If you would like to give feedback on our services and the care the patient has received, please speak to the relevant ward manager, matron or service manager for the area the person you care for is receiving care from.

If you remain concerned after speaking to a member of staff, please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). The PALS team handles patient, family and carer concerns by liaising with staff, managers and, where appropriate, relevant organisations, to negotiate immediate or prompt solutions. If necessary, they can also refer patients and families to specific local or national based support agencies.

Provide us with feedback