People who can help you in the health services

• G.P. Tell your Doctor/GP about your caring role and make sure that they know of your circumstances and any changes that occur. GP practices keep a register of carers and should offer you a Health Assessment. Do ask for help your GP as they may be able to assist you with any difficulties you may have with your caring role. When you’re caring for someone else your own health is also really important.
• Primary Health Care Team There are other health care professionals that work alongside your GP depending on the needs of the person:
• District Nurses – if the person you care for has nursing needs which need to be carried out at home e.g. changing dressings and giving injections. They can carry out medical care assessment, including advice on management of incontinence. Health Visitor – assess the needs of a child or young person you are caring for and make arrangements for needs to be met. Other professionals – depends on advice needed but the GP can refer you to staff such as physiotherapists (advice on mobility issues); occupational therapists (advise on home adaptations, equipment and practical exercises to help people’s quality of life at home); chiropodists (specialists in feet), dieticians (advise on staying healthy or give particular help e.g. to diabetics), counsellors (giving emotional support) etc.
• Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN) - are concerned with a person’s emotional and mental wellbeing, including those suffering from dementia and/or behavioural problems. CPNs work with families and individuals in their home or at the local Health Centre. They give advice and support and keep an eye on how the patient is doing with the care and treatment they are having. If you have concerns about someone’s emotional wellbeing, including your own, contact your GP for further details of these services.
• Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) provide information and “on-the-spot help” to service users and their carers. PALS will work to resolve any concerns promptly and will take measures to ensure that, where appropriate, policies and working practices are amended so that the issues do not arise again.
• Hospitals If medical care in a particular area is needed the GP may refer the person you care for to the appropriate medical specialty in hospital. If there is a medical emergency the person may be taken to accident and emergency for treatment.
  
  If the person you are caring for is in hospital, it is recommended that you ask the Hospital Social Care Team (prior to discharge) for an assessment for any extra support you may need.

Carers Association Southern Staffordshire is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered No:4184030
Registered Office: The Carers Centre, Austin Friars, Stafford. ST17 4AP.
Cass is a Registered Charity 1086979