GPs go into action for carers
24/10/11
A new guide to help GPs and their teams
provide improved support to carers is launched today by the Royal
College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and The Princess Royal
Trust for Carers.
Supporting Carers: An action guide for general practitioners
and their teams offers advice on identifying carers,
understanding their needs and involving them in the planning of
care, along with real-life case studies and practical tools to help
practice teams in their work.
First produced in 2006, it has been comprehensively revised and
updated to provide GPs with the latest information and knowledge
they need to deliver the best possible support to carers in their
caring role and ensure that the individual health and wellbeing
needs of both patient and carer are met.
The new-look guide highlights the physical, psychological and
other effects of caring that GPs and their teams can look out for,
along with specific sections on life after caring, and how to
identify and meet the health needs of Young Carers and Young Adult
Carers.
It provides advice and templates for developing GP practice
action plans and signposts resources offered by other organisations
and agencies, as well as useful information on latest Government
policy and the Carers’ Strategy 2011-2015.
The need to involve carers in patient care, and support their
health and wellbeing was identified as a priority by the RCGP in
2006 when - under the leadership of Professor Nigel Sparrow, Chair
of the RCGP Professional Development Board - the College first
collaborated with The Princess Royal Trust for Carers on a series
of leaflets encouraging GPs and carers to become partners in
care.
Since then, the College has introduced a programme of activities
and educational support (including workshops, e-learning, focus
groups, published materials, and the setting up of UK-wide awards
to recognise good practice) to help GPs and their practice teams
improve the support they can give to carers.
RCGP Chair Dr Clare Gerada said: "Carers often neglect their own
healthcare needs and in many cases it is only a matter of time
before they become ill. Most people visit their GP surgery, either
for their own health or while looking after the person they care
for, so we can play a crucial role in identifying patients with
caring responsibilities at an early stage. We can also encourage
them to look after their own health and ensure that they receive
the right support to stay healthy, maintain a life of their own and
continue caring.
"GPs are working very hard to develop and improve their services
for carers and this excellent resource will ensure that primary
care teams across the country are better equipped to provide a wide
range of support.
"We are delighted to be working in partnership with The Princess
Royal Trust for Carers on this and other initiatives to equip GPs
with the knowledge and support they need to deliver the best care
possible to those who are carrying out such an important – but
often unnoticed and undervalued – role."
Liz Fenton. CEO of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers said:
“GPs and their teams are ideally placed to help identify the
hundreds of thousands of carers across the country who currently go
unsupported. Through some easy steps, practices can help to ensure
that carers are signposted to local support and have their own
health needs addressed, and also are fully involved in care
planning for their relative or friend, as they are often an expert
source of information. This will not only improve their quality of
life but also means they are better able to provide care, bringing
positive benefits to carers, patients, and GPs alike.
“The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, working with Carers
Centres across the UK, is delighted to be involved in revising this
valuable guide, and we look forward to working with GPs and
practices to improve support for carers.”
Supporting Carers: An action guide for general practitioners
and their teams is available to download free at www.rcgp.org.uk/carers.
ENDS
Further information
RCGP Press office – 020 3188 7574/7575/7576/7569
Out of hours: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk
Notes to editors
The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more
than 44,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We
work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general
medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education,
training, research and clinical standards.