Carers Support
The Practice keeps a record of all known carers, as well as those being cared for. It is important that the Practice team recognises the role that carers play in co-coordinating the care and support required by dependant patients. Carers should be actively involved in discussions of treatment and expected outcomes; together with the recognition of the impact caring has on them as an individual.
Definition of a Carer
“A carer is someone, who without payment, regularly helps a disabled, mentally or physically ill or frail relative, friend or neighbour.” (Help and Care)"
You may not consider yourself a carer, as caring is often something we do for family or friends without question and without defining or labelling it as such. If you provide care to someone who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, and they couldn’t manage without your support, then you are a carer.
Carers can be anyone of any age and perform any number of different tasks to support the person they are caring for. You may be providing practical support like shopping, meal preparation, personal care (such as washing or dressing) or you may be providing emotional support to support someone’s mental wellbeing. You do not have to live with the person you care for to be a carer.
Do you look after someone who couldn't manage without your support?
If the answer is yes, then you are a carer.
Register with us
While many carers feel that caring is one of the most important and rewarding things they do, its challenges should not be underestimated. Caring can impact on all aspects of life from relationships and health, to finances and work and caring without the right information and support can be tough. That is why we want to know who all our patients with caring responsibilities are, so they can get the support they need.
To Register as a carer, please collect a form from Reception, or from our Carers information board.
You will find:
- A short form to complete and return to us,
- An emergency information sheet for you to keep at home,
- a consent form for you to consider with the person you care for.
Alternatively, you can let us know if you are a carer by filling out this online form:
Unpaid Carer GP Registration Form (microsoft.com)
A member of our Wellbeing Team will be in touch to make contact and offer more support.
Emergency Information
Sometimes things happen that we are not prepared for, so it's important to know who you can call. If you are experiencing a crisis situation with a breakdown in care arrangements, please contact:
Dorset Adult Access Team: 01305 221016
Email: adult access@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Or for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole residents
BCP Adult Social Care Contact Centre
Tel: 01202 123654
Email: asc.contactcentre@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Our Carers Lead
Sarah Millner (Social Prescriber from our Wellbeing Team) is our Carers Lead and is here to help you.
If you feel you would like some further information on services available to you or could do with some support, she can point you in the right direction.
You can contact Sarah by calling the surgery on 01305 250989, or alternatively send an email to pow.reception@nhs.net
Mid-Dorset Primary Care Network
Prince of Wales is one of nine surgeries within Mid Dorset Primary Care Network (PCN). The PCN was set up in order for our local surgeries in Mid Dorset to work together to enable great provision of proactive, personalised, coordinated and integrated health and social care for people closer to home.
That is why we have created a joint Carers Information Page on the PCN website which holds the rest of the information that is available to support you as a carer:
Link to PCN page - Carers « Mid Dorset Primary Care Network (mid-dorsetpcn.co.uk)
Please now visit the PCN Carers Information page for further information, advice and support.
It covers information on:
- How we can support you
- Local support services
- Young Carers
- Planning ahead
- In an emergency
- Support for carers in our Dorset hospitals
- Carer’s Assessment
- Carers Information Pack
- Carers News
- Leaflets
- Useful websites and contacts
Dorset Carers Support
Every carer should be supported with the right information and advice in order for them to feel able to carry out their caring role. In Dorset we have two ‘front door’ carer support services in which we encourage every carer to be registered with. They provide you with regular newsletters to keep you informed, give you access to the Dorset Carers Card which can save you money, and provide a wealth of training opportunities to help you as a carer. When you register with us, you can give us permission to make a referral on your behalf with information you provide, or alternatively you can contact them yourself using the details below:
If you care for some who lives in the Dorset Council area, you will need to register with Carer Support Dorset for support:
Tel: 0800 3688349
Website: www.carersupportdorset.co.uk
Email: admin@carersupportdorset.co.uk
Carer registration form: Webform (dizions.co.uk)
If you care for someone who lives in Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council you will need to register with Carers’ Resource Information and Support (CRISP) for support –
Tel: 01202 128787
Website: www.crispweb.org
Email: carersupport@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Carer registration form: Join The Carers Information Service (crispweb.org)
Young Carers
A young carer is someone aged 18 or under who helps to look after a relative who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem . The majority of young carers look after one of their parents or care for a brother or sister . They do jobs in and around the home, such as cooking, cleaning, or helping someone to get dressed and move around. Young carers under 16 can ask social services for a carer’s assessment whenever the person they are looking after is having an assessment of their own, and can ask social services for a carer’s assessment whenever they like.
The local charity which supports young carers in Dorset is caller MyTime - find out what they offer by visiting their website: MYTIME Young Carers.
The Young Carer’s Charter was drawn up by the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and sets out the rights young carers feel they're entitled to.
Finance & Law
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
NHS Links
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?
