Are you a carer?

Are you looking after someone who could not manage without your support? If yes, then you are a carer.

A carer is anyone, including children and adults, who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, and cannot cope without their support.

Being registered as a Carer with us at The Farmhouse Surgery means that your doctor will know that you are looking after someone and be aware of how this might impact your health and wellbeing.

It can also benefit you in the following ways:

  • Free flu vaccination
  • Higher priority for the Covid-19 vaccination
  • Longer or double appointments
  • Convenient appointment times that fit around your caring needs
  • Home visit appointments
  • Repeat prescriptions
  • Information Carers Clinics/ Carers Groups running within the surgery
  • Sharing of information regarding the person you care for (with their consent)
  • Involvement, as far as possible, in planning treatment, care and support for the cared-for person
  • Health checks
  • Annual welfare/review calls to check you as a carer are receiving the support needed to maintain your health and wellbeing
  • Local information and support groups
  • Support letters and information to enable both the carer and cared-for person to access benefits
  • Referrals to non-clinical health coach/social prescribers.

Register as a carer or to receive support

Carer’s Assessment

A carer's assessment is a conversation with a professional social care worker about how being a carer affects you and the way you are able to live your life. It's an opportunity to make sure you have all the information you need and a chance to find out about the services and support that could help you in your caring role. It is free and open to any carer, regardless of their financial circumstances.

 

Emergency / Crisis Situations

If you find you need urgent support and they feel they cannot imminently continue to carry out their caring role. Carer Support Dorset and CRISP will signpost to Adult Social Care, but carers can contact Adult Social Care direct if they feel their needs are urgent:

If the person you care for lives in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole, contact the Adult Social Care Contact Centre:

  • Phone: 01202 123654

Local Support

Christchurch Connections & Health Hub

Do you care for someone with a learning disability in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole?
We support carers of people with learning disabilities to share their experiences with BCP Council and the NHS in order to improve services.

Visit the Christchurch Connections & Health Hub website

BCP Carer Support

If the person you care for lives in the Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole Council area, BCP Carer Support is here to help you.

Visit the BCP Carer Support website

University Hospital Dorset

University Hospitals Dorset recognises the vital role that carers play in the health and well-being of those they care for. Carers have a right, but not a duty, to continue to care whilst the person they care for is in hospital.

Has the person you care for been admitted to Bournemouth or Christchurch or Poole Hospital? Would you like some help and support?

Visit the University Hospital Dorset website

Young Carers

A young carer is a child or young person under the age of 18 who provides care and support to a family member or friend who is ill, disabled, has a mental health condition, or is affected by substance misuse.

Being a young carer can impact various aspects of a young person’s life, including their education, social life, and overall well-being.

Visit the BCP Carer Support website

National Support

Carers UK

Caring will affect us all at some point in our lives. With your help, they can be there for the 6,000 people who start looking after someone each day.

Visit the Carers UK website

Carers Trust

Carers Trust is a major charity for, with and about carers. They work to improve support, services and recognition for anyone living with the challenges of caring, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems. Their vision is that unpaid carers count and can access the help they need to live their lives.

Visit the Carers Trust website