Hampshire_Support_for_carers Report, Hampshire

Healthwatch Hampshire completed the work and created this report to assist directly in the commissioning decisions being made as part of the vanguard programme in relation to support services for carers in North East Hampshire and Farnham. Healthwatch Hampshire were commissioned by North East Hampshire and Farnham CCG to carry out this work.

There were many recurring themes relating to the need for more respite, financial and emotional support, while bearing in mind the practical implications of caring that need addressing too.

The project received 198 completed surveys and Healthwatch spoke to over 30 people from their engagement events.

This report highlights the diverse needs of carers depending on variants in age, circumstances, location and the specific condition/needs of the person that are caring for. It identified the need for a flexible and adaptable approach to support services for carers, combining the need for face to face support from professionals and groups, and the more indirect approach of having portals, and hubs that can provide information and support at a distance and more flexibly.

The following recommendations were made within the report:

• One-Stop-Shop for carers

• Recognise the diversity of carers needs

• Provide appropriate training

• Consider realistic and appropriate provision of respite

• Consider a different approach for seldom heard carers

• Improve information and signposting services

• More widespread advertising of carers assessments

The report contained no response from the commissioners within the report.