Training for GP staff to ensure they are carer friendly
What is the initiative?
The Carers Development Worker (Primary and Community Care) Project
Who runs it?
Carers Support Service Worthing and District
Carers Support Service Worthing and District
Who does it benefit?
The project is aimed at health professionals who do not understand who carers are, need to know how to recognise, support and appropriately refer carers, and who require regular and up-to-date information about carers’ services.
The project is aimed at health professionals who do not understand who carers are, need to know how to recognise, support and appropriately refer carers, and who require regular and up-to-date information about carers’ services.
It also benefits unpaid carers who are unaware that they are carers or that there is information and support available to help them in their caring role, and those who require support to recognise and respond to their own health needs.
What does it do?
A fulltime Carers Development Worker works with Link Workers at 35 GP surgeries to ensure that health professionals are aware of carers and know how to appropriately refer them to services.
A fulltime Carers Development Worker works with Link Workers at 35 GP surgeries to ensure that health professionals are aware of carers and know how to appropriately refer them to services.
The Development Worker also links with community health teams such as Virtual Wards, to raise awareness and offer information updates for staff who regularly work with people in their own homes. Health staff can then refer carers for support via their GP practice or directly to the local Carers’ Centre.
When was it started?
5th July 2004
5th July 2004
Why was it started?
Originally there were Carers Support Workers who were linked to GP surgeries and worked directly with carers. After an initial increase in the numbers of carers being identified, there was a dip in new carers which led to the funding coming to an end. The Carers Development Worker post was created to fill the gap by working with health professionals rather than directly with carers. This creates a more integrated system where carers get support directly from GP surgeries via Carers Link Workers who in turn get support from the Carers Development Worker.
Originally there were Carers Support Workers who were linked to GP surgeries and worked directly with carers. After an initial increase in the numbers of carers being identified, there was a dip in new carers which led to the funding coming to an end. The Carers Development Worker post was created to fill the gap by working with health professionals rather than directly with carers. This creates a more integrated system where carers get support directly from GP surgeries via Carers Link Workers who in turn get support from the Carers Development Worker.
What are the aims and objectives?
- To raise the profile and awareness of patient / carer issues amongst primary and community care professionals
- To work with GP and community teams to improve their support to carers
- To ensure that primary care is encouraged and supported to develop systems and protocols that effectively support carers
- To increase 'health awareness' within carers themselves to help reduce demand on GPs and other health care professionals
How is it funded?
The original funding came from the PCT on a year by year basis. After five years this changed to joint funding from the PCT and adult social services on a year by year basis. Funding for future years will be put out to tender. As the project has been running successfully since 2004, it is hoped that funding will be secured so the work can continue.
The original funding came from the PCT on a year by year basis. After five years this changed to joint funding from the PCT and adult social services on a year by year basis. Funding for future years will be put out to tender. As the project has been running successfully since 2004, it is hoped that funding will be secured so the work can continue.
What has it achieved?
There have been dramatic effects on the numbers of carers identified by GP practices. Before the project, carers identified by GP surgeries represented about 22% of all referrals to the Carers’ Support Service. This number jumped to 50% for the first five years of the project and levels continue to remain high. Some practices have consistently increased their numbers of registered and supported carers every year since the project began in 2004.
There have been dramatic effects on the numbers of carers identified by GP practices. Before the project, carers identified by GP surgeries represented about 22% of all referrals to the Carers’ Support Service. This number jumped to 50% for the first five years of the project and levels continue to remain high. Some practices have consistently increased their numbers of registered and supported carers every year since the project began in 2004.
The Carers Development Worker has forged good relationships with GP surgeries and other health teams, resulting in a strong sense of teamwork and many GPs gaining a real understanding of carers’ issues. Link Workers in the surgeries have also benefited from the project through personal development in their job roles.
The project has attracted interest from all over the country, with people contacting the Carers Development Worker to ask for advice on how to start similar initiatives in other areas.
Setting up a project like this?
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Click here for further details including methods, tips, related documents and contact details.
1 comment
Leave a comment...Gordon Conochie
The rise in proportion of referrals
The rise in proportion of referrals from 22% to approximately 50% is very impressive. I think even 22% is a higher proportion of referrals than most other carers' services would have so it does show the potential for increased referrals from GPs.
Gordon