Carers can opt to be known to their GPs and can request a ‘carer’s flag’ on their primary care record. They will then receive invitations to book eligible vaccinations and notifications of health events to support their health needs.
Who are carers?
A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid.
Many carers don’t see themselves as carers and it takes them an average of two years to acknowledge their role as a carer (NHS website: Understanding Carers).
It can be difficult for carers to see their caring role as separate from the relationship they have with the person for whom they care, whether that relationship is as a parent, child, sibling, partner, or a friend.
Who are young carers?
A young carer is a young person under 18 that helps to look after a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem. This could be a parent, brother, or sister.
Young Carers may do extra jobs in and around the home, such as cooking, cleaning, or helping someone get dressed and move around. They may give physical help to a parent, brother, or sister who is disabled or ill. They may also be giving their siblings and parents emotional support too.
Many carers juggle their caring responsibilities with work, study and other family commitments. Some, in particular younger carers, are not known to be carers. They don’t tell relatives, friends or health and care professionals about their responsibilities because of a fear of separation, guilt, pride or other reasons.
For referral into our Carers/Young Carers Team please complete the self referral form below
Please note you must be registered with one of our Andover practices.