24 October 2011
GPs Go Into Action for Carers
A new guide to help GPs and their teams provide improved support to carers is launched today by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.
Supporting Carers: An action guide for general practitioners and their teams offers advice on identifying carers, understanding their needs and involving them in the planning of care, along with real-life case studies and practical tools to help practice teams in their work.
First produced in 2006, it has been comprehensively revised and updated to provide GPs with the latest information and knowledge they need to deliver the best possible support to carers in their caring role and ensure that the individual health and wellbeing needs of both patient and carer are met.
The new-look guide highlights the physical, psychological and other effects of caring that GPs and their teams can look out for, along with specific sections on life after caring, and how to identify and meet the health needs of Young Carers and Young Adult Carers.
It provides advice and templates for developing GP practice action plans and signposts resources offered by other organisations and agencies, as well as useful information on latest Government policy and the Carers’ Strategy 2011-2015.
The need to involve carers in patient care, and support their health and wellbeing was identified as a priority by the RCGP in 2006 when - under the leadership of Professor Nigel Sparrow, Chair of the RCGP Professional Development Board - the College first collaborated with The Princess Royal Trust for Carers on a series of leaflets encouraging GPs and carers to become partners in care.
Since then, the College has introduced a programme of activities and educational support (including workshops, e-learning, focus groups, published materials, and the setting up of UK-wide awards to recognise good practice) to help GPs and their practice teams improve the support they can give to carers.
RCGP Chair Dr Clare Gerada said: "Carers often neglect their own healthcare needs and in many cases it is only a matter of time before they become ill. Most people visit their GP surgery, either for their own health or while looking after the person they care for, so we can play a crucial role in identifying patients with caring responsibilities at an early stage. We can also encourage them to look after their own health and ensure that they receive the right support to stay healthy, maintain a life of their own and continue caring.
"GPs are working very hard to develop and improve their services for carers and this excellent resource will ensure that primary care teams across the country are better equipped to provide a wide range of support.
"We are delighted to be working in partnership with The Princess Royal Trust for Carers on this and other initiatives to equip GPs with the knowledge and support they need to deliver the best care possible to those who are carrying out such an important – but often unnoticed and undervalued – role."
Liz Fenton. CEO of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers said: “GPs and their teams are ideally placed to help identify the hundreds of thousands of carers across the country who currently go unsupported. Through some easy steps, practices can help to ensure that carers are signposted to local support and have their own health needs addressed, and also are fully involved in care planning for their relative or friend, as they are often an expert source of information. This will not only improve their quality of life but also means they are better able to provide care, bringing positive benefits to carers, patients, and GPs alike.
“The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, working with Carers Centres across the UK, is delighted to be involved in revising this valuable guide, and we look forward to working with GPs and practices to improve support for carers.”
Supporting Carers: An action guide for general practitioners and their teams is available to download free at www.rcgp.org.uk/carers.
Further information
RCGP Press office – 020 3188 7574/7575/7576/7569
Out of hours: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk
Notes
The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 44,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.