Carers Wellbeing Report, North Tyneside
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Summary and findings:
During 2016-2017 Healthwatch North Tyneside gathered information from with carers through a variety of methods to understand carers’ experiences of assessment of their needs, information and support. Methods used: a paper and online survey, engagement with carers’ groups and discussions with local service providers. 139 contributed.
Focus:
• Experience of Carer’s Wellbeing Assessments
• Impact of caring on wellbeing
• Information, advice and support for carers.
Recommendations
• Early identification of carers
• North Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) work with local GP consortium to ensure that GPs are trained in how to identify carers and registration processes, health checks and general record keeping includes prompt questions and alerts for identification and assessment of carers. Compliance monitored as part of performance systems.
• North Tyneside Council work with home care and other care providers to identify and refer carers is incorporated into contract specifications, reviewing procedures, monitoring systems and core training of all staff.
• New GP based Care Navigators trained in identifying and working with carers. Systems should be in place to record carers issues as they arise and report these back to the CCG.
• Awareness of the Carer’s Wellbeing Assessment
• Joint initiative to promote the right to a carer’s assessment across the borough on an ongoing basis.
• Commitment to Carers Action Plan to include a measurable target on awareness levels and uptake of carers’ assessments to improve accountability for reaching the target.
• Carers’ assessment process to be reviewed to ensure that carers are made aware that they are being assessed as part of their rights under the Care Act and ensure that there is timely and clear communication on the outcome of the assessment.
• Strengthening of the Carer’s Wellbeing Assessment
• Review the form used to guide and record the Carer’s Wellbeing Assessment in North Tyneside.
• Improving information, advice and support for carers
• Commitment to Carers’ Action Plan
• Improving support for carers in their care coordination role.