To provide some background - Carer Support Wiltshire have been commissioned by Wiltshire County Council to deliver a Hospital Liaison Service across the three acute hospitals (RUH, Salisbury District Hospital and Great Western Hospital) and the three Community Hospitals (Chippenham, Warminster, and Savernake).

About the service – in brief:

By working in partnership with each hospital to support unpaid carers we aim to provide information, advice, and support to carers whilst the person they care for is in Hospital. Raise the profile, and embed carer awareness with staff, patients, and families. Promote early identification of carers, ideally on admission or when assessed as medically fit to discharge. Supporting carers who need additional information and support on the discharge process, along with preventative information with the aim of reducing readmission or crisis situations following discharge of their cared for.

"We recognize that Carers are often 'hidden' looking after a family member, friend, neighbour with day to day tasks and may not see themselves as a carer." 

Lisa Zarpanely is our Carers Lead and Kylie Dell is our Clinical Care Lead -  offering support and regular health checks to all of our carers. We work closely alongside Carers Support Wiltshire, Alzheimers Support and many other outside agencies.  

We have a Platinum award for our carers service from carers support Wiltshire.

To register as a carer please contact reception or bring this to the attention of any GP, Nurse or member of staff within Trowbridge Health Centre.

Useful websites:

https://carersinwiltshire.co.uk/    

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/children-young-people-young-carers

https://www.alzheimerswiltshire.org.uk/

If you are please let us know- we may be able to help you.

Carers UK

They’re here to make sure that no matter how complicated your query or your experience, you don’t have to care alone.

Telephone: 020 7378 4999

Website: www.carersuk.org

A young carer is a child or young person (aged from 5 to 25) whose life is affected by caring for at least one family member, over and above just ’helping out’.

There are an estimated 700,000 young carers in the UK, some as young as 5 years old

Wiltshire Young Carers also offer support to young carers under 25 years. They support projects all over the country for young carers to attend. For more information visit www.communityfirst.org.uk.

Please click here to download our carers leaflet for more information on how Trowbridge Health Centre can support you. 

Carers Support Groups

For information on Care Support Wiltshire's Talk and Support Service click here or visit https://www.facebook.com/carerswiltshire/posts/3618447048185500

There is a wealth of information on NHS Choices about carers and caring. Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.

• Caring for a parent

  Watch this video on: caring for a parent at home

• Telling people

  Caring responsibilities can make it difficult to maintain friendships or develop new ones. Telling your friends you're a carer is important so they understand and can support you.

• Taking a break

  Caring for someone can be a full-time job, but it's essential that you take time out for yourself too. Read our guide to accessing breaks and respite.

• Housing and carers

  Do you know your tenancy rights as a carer? Are you aware of all your care at home options? Do you need tips on moving someone around the home?

Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.

• Benefits for carers

  Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring role

• Benefits for the person you care for

  Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to

• Death and benefits

  How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits

• Managing someone's legal affairs

  Advice for when carers find they have to take over the legal affairs of the person they are looking after

• Other benefits

  Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring

• Personal and household finance

  Advice on keeping a tight rein on household and personal finance for carers

• Social fund
• Tax credits

  Information on claiming tax credits and whether you might be eligible