Carers are twice as likely to suffer from ill health as non-carers. More than half of those who provide more substantial care have suffered physical ill health as a result of caring, and more than 70 per cent of those caring round the clock have suffered mental ill health at some time .
What can your GP do to support you as a carer?
- Acknowledging you as a patient who is also a carer, will mean that your GP is on the lookout for early signs that you’re possibly taking on too much at the expense of your own health needs.
- Prevention is also better than cure as we all know. So, if you receive regular free health checks and an annual flu jab, you can avoid some longer term problems, if these are spotted earlier. Most GPs will be happy to arrange these for carers.
- Most GP practices in Enfield have signed up to offer annual NHS Health Check to Carers, but if your surgery doesn’t know you are a Carer, you may be missing out.
- Tell your GP surgery you are a Carer and ask to be added to their Carer Register
- Ask your GP for an appointment for an Annual Health Check – it is your right!
- Ask your surgery if they will hold a consent form on file from your cared for to enable you to discuss their health
Happily, the majority of the 47 surgeries in Enfield are working with us and should have information and leaflets about the Carers Centre on display. We have also trained 8 Carers Champions within GP Practices who have agreed to help identify, support and signpost carers to the centre.
Whilst we can’t promise that we can solve them all, our Carers Healthcare Workers will do their best to help liaise with staff at your surgery to overcome any issues.
If your practice is not supporting you as a carer please let us know by emailing: healthcaresupport@enfieldcarers.org
Young Carers and GPs
NHS England has outlined a series of practical plans and actions designed to help young carers who may be ‘hidden’, unpaid and under the age of sixteen.
Family doctors across the country can volunteer to offer a new package of services for children and young adults who perform an informal caring role for a family member.
This includes priority appointments for carers, home visits, additional mental health checks, and ‘double appointments’ for the carer and those they provide care for. ( June 2019)
Click this link for more information: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2019/06/nhs-sets-out-care-for-young-carers-offer-in-gp-surgeries/
