Campaign to find thousands of people living in the borough who have unpaid caring responsibilities

Your NHS is urging local people looking after friends, relatives and neighbours as part of their everyday life to contact their GP practice for help

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Your NHS is urging local people looking after friends, relatives and neighbours as part of their everyday life to contact their GP practice for help.

NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (HMR CCG), has launched a campaign to find thousands of people living in the borough who have unpaid caring responsibilities. One aspect of this involves targeting messages using Twitter and Facebook.

• Follow us on Twitter @NHSHMR
• Visit and ‘like’ our dedicated Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HMRcarers  
• Find out more at www.hmr.nhs.uk/carers  

There are thousands of local people of all ages and from all walks of life looking after friends, relatives or neighbours as part of their everyday life. These people are carers, and can access a wealth of support by visiting their GP practice.

A carer is defined as the following:

Someone who looks after or gives help or support to family members (including children), friends, neighbours or others because of long-term physical or mental ill health or disability, problems relating to old age or issues relating to addiction.

Caring might include:

• Practical household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, washing up, ironing, shopping, paying bills and financial management 
• Personal care such as bathing, dressing, lifting, administering medication and collecting prescriptions 
• Emotional support such as listening, offering advice and friendship

Anyone who believes this describes them and their situation is carer. The person they are caring for may not be able to manage without their support. They are being urged to visit their doctor’s practice for advice and a support pack to help them carry on caring.

Dr Bob Wood, HMR CCG’s Clinical Lead for Carers, said: “It is often the case that people looking after loved ones do not realise they are a carer, and as a result, many are not accessing the support available to them.

“This campaign is about making sure these people know they’re not alone and that they can access advice and support by visiting their GP practice. We’re keen to reach as many people as possible and recognise the impact social media can have. We’d encourage people to connect with us to find out more.

“If you think you are a carer, or you know someone who has caring responsibilities, please visit your GP practice, or encourage others to do so.”