Carers

Informal Carers

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. The care they give is unpaid. Between 2001 and 2011, the number of unpaid carers grew by 600,000 with the largest increase being in those who provide fifty or more hours of care per week. This equates to 1.4 million people providing fifty or more hours of unpaid care per week.

You can let us know you are a carer by using the prioryCARE form and choose the General Enquiries tile. You can also call our Patient Central team or speak to one of our Patient Care Navigators who can update your records. It is useful to know if you are a carer as we can then make sure we provide you with support where needed and invite you to have a flu jab each year.

Support

There are many places to access support as an informal/unpaid carer.

York Carer Centre - is an independent charity and a network member of the national Carers Trust. They work in partnership with carers, statutory and voluntary organisations to ensure unpaid carers throughout York have access to confidential information, advice and support. They work with carers to influence positive change in service delivery with local government, employers, schools and health providers. Read more in their really handy leaflet here. York Carer Centre also runs a Wellbeing Group for Mental Health Carers, read more here about what they sessions involve and when there are run.

Carers UK - is a national charity that supports carers. Looking after someone can be a rewarding experience. It can also be tough, lonely and bewildering. But you’re not on your own. Carers UK is there to listen, to give you expert information and guidance, to champion your rights and support you in finding new ways to manage at home, at work, or wherever you are.