To all carers we need your expertise

The purpose of this leaflet

Your role as a carer in Harrow is highly valued by both health and social care. We acknowledge that we can only continue to deliver the high standards of care to our residents with your support. This is the first in a series of leaflets/questionnaires that we will be producing in order to understand your needs as a carer. Your views will help us shape the support services that will enable you to deliver your very valued role as a carer. This leaflet simply asks a few of the basic questions to get us started.

We are developing a carers plan

You may already know that we are developing a carers plan for carers in Harrow. It is in the early stages of development but we need your input. NHS Harrow has identified funding to support carers in their caring role. We would like to understand your views on which service developments will be most helpful to you. This may be used to develop both health and social care services. This brief leaflet outlines the basics of what we are doing and explains how we would like you to be involved.

What is a carers plan?

A carers plan indentifies and publicises the services for carers that NHS Harrow and Harrow Social Care deliver, and it informs carers how to access these services.

How can you access the plan?

The details of the plan can be found on both NHS Harrow and social care websites.

What are your priorities?

We have started to develop the plan based on national guidelines and we want to make sure that we :

look after your health and well-being improve your quality of life recognise your contribution as a carer increase your choice and control protect you from discrimination and harassment ensure you are treated with dignity and respect

But to do this well we would like you to help us understand what you need. Please can you answer the following questions for us so that we can provide the services to meet your needs? Every Questionnaire returned to Mencap@harrowmencap.org.uk will be entered into a prize draw for 50 Gift voucher return by Friday 21st September

Carers questionnaire
Not important at all Slightly important Very important

1 2

How important is it to you that~: Your GP knows you are a carer?

Which of the following ways would you like your GP to support you: priority appointments for you priority appointments for the person you care for annual health checks for you a practice support group YES

YES

NO

Which of the following would be useful to support you in your role as a carer? Carers break vouchers/respite support

NO

Place in order of priority

A service that provides you with a professional support worker to take over your role for a few hours Day trips and social events

Training and coaching support from a skilled professional to help you in your carers role.

Would you like the opportunity to help to shape the future carers services?*

*If you answer yes to this question please leave your details below so that we can contact you
Name _________________________________contact phone number _______________________ Email ____________________________________________________________________________

Please use this space to make any other suggestions: