Priority 2: We will support targeted work in and by health services to improve awareness and understanding about the role of carers. We will enhance the support offered to young carers, young adult carers and adult carers (including parent carers), consistently across health services.
What issue is this priority addressing?
The 2018-2021 Warrington Carers Strategy identified a priority to improve support to carers in primary care and hospital discharge.
Progress has been made against this priority with good practice in some specific services, settings or places. For example, we have provided support within out-patient services to schedule carer-sensitive hospital appointments (around caring/school/work commitments or involving carers), provided assistance with virtual visiting during COVID-19, assistance from PALS, proactive direct healthcare provision by some GPs identifying carers with health needs and prioritising carers needs.
However, more needs to be done to ensure that best practice is promoted and shared and the disparity between carers’ experiences must be reduced. Engagement from health partners in the carer’s agenda needs to increase so that carer wellbeing is acknowledged as important to all.
How will this priority be delivered?
- Our key health partners will provide their statement of intent regarding their contribution to the carer’s agenda and will outline their priority improvements for carers.
- Our health partners will share best practice from services who are doing great work with carers, with the Carers Partnership Board.
- Our health partners will understand where improvements need to be made to meet good practice standards. They will also put development plans in place.
- Our health partners will implement a borough-wide flagging system for young carers, young adult carers and adult carers, on medical notes to help with improved identification, communication and better service responsiveness.
What are the potential measures of success?
- Partner intentions received and supported by the Board (annually).
- Quarterly progress reports received by the Board from health partners.
- Implementation of the Carer Flagging System within agreed health settings.
- Positive feedback from carers (the Board to work with Healthwatch to initiate processes for feedback).