New programme to improve GP support for carers: join in!

Recruitment of Carer Ambassadors

If you are a carer living in England and have the skills and commitment to improve support for carers in general practice in your area, Carers UK would really like to hear from you! 

Why was the Supporting Carers in General Practice Programme set up?

• Around 10% of the population in England (approx. 5.3 million people) have a caring role (eg looking after a disabled child or spouse, or caring for a parent, other relative, friend or neighbour).
• Carers often look to their GP as the first port of call for help and support.
• But nationally only around 0.5% of people registered with GPs are identified on Carer Registers, and much still needs to be done to improve the consistency of support for carers across the country.
• 83 percent of carers report that caring has had a negative impact on their physical health and 87 percent that it has had a negative impact on their mental health (Source: Carers Week 2012).
• It is therefore important that GPs and healthcare professionals support those with caring responsibilities by helping them to identify themselves as carers, recognising the value of their contribution, referring them on to other services that could help alleviate the impact of their caring role and involving them from the outset in planning a care package for the person/s they care for.

 

What are the project aims?

• To improve the early identification of carers by GP surgeries and other health professionals across England.
• To improve the support carers receive from their GP surgery and other health services.
• To improve the signposting of carers to local services.

Find out more

If you are interested in becoming a Carer Ambassador, please download and read the Carers Ambassador role description (click link here). If you would then like to apply, please send a short Expression of Interest (200 to 300 words) by email to Michael Shann, Carer Ambassadors Programme Manager ([email protected]).

This Expression of Interest should explain why you would like to undertake the role and what makes you a suitable candidate. If you have a CV, please attach this and provide your full address and contact details. Suitable candidates will be asked to have an informal telephone interview and will then be invited to a briefing session before they begin their roles.