Black and Minority Ethnic Carers and their experiences of GP services in Croydon

Healthwatch Croydon decided to undertake further research into the experience of Black and Minority Ethnic carers as their voices were not being heard. They spoke to 62 Black and Ethnic Minority carers.

This report focuses on how well GPs in Croydon have supported BME carers both in terms of their own health and wellbeing and in their caring role. They found that GPs in Croydon are not sufficiently recognising the caring role or referring carers to the Carers Support Centre in Croydon and other support services.

Healthwatch also heard about some best practice examples, where BME carers enjoy a relaxed rapport with their GP and have been provided with recognition and referral to support services. These included two practices who have introduced care navigators who carers can use to find out about services and support. When BME carers have this relationship with their GP practice, their feedback about services they receive and their openness to referral and advice is immediately improved.

The varying quality in services given to BME carers indicates a need to implement better support across the board so that all BME carers in Croydon feel recognised and supported. There are already clear guidelines for best practice as well as NHS England’s Commitment to Carers which lay out a clear pathway to improving support services for this group.

The report contains six recommendations.