Supporting carers at Dorset County Hospital

An interview with Julia Woodhouse, Patient Experience Coordinator

In our September 2022 report, Carers experiences of Dorset Home First service, we recommended that hospital processes should be improved to better support carers by having a named contact to support carers, 24/7 support, and consistent use of Carer Passports and/or ‘This Is Me’ forms.

Our Engagement Officer, Lucy Cribb, recently touched base with Julia to find out how she is working to meet our recommendations.

How was the Carers Passport introduced and why?

“We introduced the Carers Passport in 2022. We were fortunate enough to gain some funding from NHS England, which enabled us to roll out a training package throughout our hospital wards. This training means that we can make sure carers of patients who come into the hospital, as inpatients or following elective surgery, are supported and looked after as much as the patients.

“We would really like to recognise carers for the contribution they give and acknowledge their experience and that they know the patient better than anybody else. The carer can assist and help all the clinical teams because they know what is normal for the patient and what is abnormal.

“We would also like to encourage conversations with carers to make sure their views are appreciated. We also want to find out whether or not the carer feels they are at a point where they could benefit from some respite and step back from their caring responsibilities while their cared for person is with us.”

What does the carers passport do?

“The Carers Passport is a lovely teal green colour badge and lanyard that really stands out, so we can easily see who the carers are. Once we have identified the carers, we can then offer them free parking and a discount at Damers Restaurant, so they get the same cost of food and drinks as the staff.

“We also offer carers flexible visiting, which is done in coordination with the ward staff. We make sure there’s a contract between the staff and the carer. We ask the carer when they would like to come in and help care for their looked after person and if they want to be there to give personal care. We ask if they want to be there to reassure the patient, and if they want to be there to help with mealtimes. If they are there to help with mealtimes, then we would also like to provide them with a meal too.

“We want to encourage those very valuable conversations between carers, ward staff and our discharge teams to make sure that when the cared for patient is ready to go home, it is a safe and effective discharge for them.”

How many carers do you assist a week?

“At present we are giving out about three or four Carers Passports a week.

“We are currently doing a piece of work to try and acknowledge as many carers as we can who are coming with patients through the Emergency Department. We want to try and identify them as early as we can, so that we can include them in care decisions, and also notify them of any changes in mobility, changes in medication, etc.”

If you are a carer supporting someone in Dorset County Hospital

Let the hospital know

Talk to staff or contact the Patient Advice Liaison Service by phone: 0800 783 8058 or email pals@dchft.nhs.uk. You can find out more on the hospital’s webpage: Information for carers.