Hospitals trust launches carers strategy

Date published: 04 December 2009

The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Rochdale Infirmary, joined local voluntary and other public sector organisations in highlighting the needs and rights of carers as part of this year’s national Carers Rights Day today (Friday 4 December).

The Trust is holding an information stand at the Infirmary today, in partnership with Rochdale Council and NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, to recognise Carers Rights Day and to launch its new Carers Strategy and Carers Charter.

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Keith Swift, met carers and Infirmary staff earlier today.

According to Carers UK, the national charity for carers, it is estimated that there are around 6 million carers in the UK who provide unpaid care by looking after an ill, frail or disabled family member, friend or partner. By 2037, it's anticipated that the number of carers will increase to 9 million. Every day another 6,000 people take on a caring responsibility - that equals over 2 million people each year.

1.25 million people provide over 50 hours of care per week. 625,000 people suffer mental and physical ill health as a direct consequence of the stress and physical demands of caring.

Carers Rights Day is an annual campaign run by Carers UK to raise awareness of the needs of carers, increase take up of benefits and to make sure carers know their rights and have access to information about support.

The Trust’s new Carers Strategy has been developed in conjunction with carer’s representatives and the four local councils in Bury, Manchester, Oldham and Rochdale, carer’s centres and primary care trusts and outlines the Trust commitment to carers, either staff who work for the Trust or carers of patients who use the Trust services.

A staff charter and a patient charter have also been developed to support the strategy, to provide information and commitment by the Trust on how carers can expect to be supported by the Trust. These charters will be available in ward areas in each hospital and attached to staff payslips in December.

The Trust has also set up a Staff Carers Network. This is a new initiative to provide staff carers with a forum to provide mutual support and exchange information and ideas; help the Trust understand staff’s experience and needs as a carer and look to improve working life for all members of staff with caring responsibilities. The first meeting will take place at North Manchester General Hospital today.

Angela Wood, patient partnership manager at The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We recognise that many of our patients at our hospitals and a number of our staff have caring responsibilities. Many will not see themselves as carers and unaware of the information and support that is available. It is important carers are recognised and supported.

“We are piloting a ‘key to caring’ a yellow key shaped key fob, which will be given to carers with information about carers contacts on it, at NMGH and FGH , alongside blue fob for all staff, with the Adult and Chid care service details on. A carer’s handbook for the Trust is also in development.”