Unpaid carers' experience of general practice
Download (PDF 829.5 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Southend wanted to find out unpaid carers' experiences of using GP services. They undertook a survey to which 52 people responded.
Like many residents, unpaid carers are frustrated about the process of making an appointment. But the need to ring at 8am often coincides with the start of that day’s caring responsibilities
Only 40% of carers who responded were recorded as carers at their surgery. Few had had a conversation about carers’ assessments, although about 30% had received one
In the consultation itself, Healthwatch heard that unpaid carers were largely happy with the responses of the clinicians they saw. However, there are differences between their results and those for all unpaid carers across Mid & South Essex. Particular attention needs to be given to allowing carers time and recognising and responding to their mental health
Healthwatch looked at the websites of Southend practices and found that information could be variable in terms of ease of access and relevance to unpaid carers.
The report contains six recommendations.