Cumbria and the North East TRANSFORMING PARTICIPATION

FORUM

The power of pulling together- multi agency strategy to

support carers in Sunderland

Julie McDonald Eibhlin Inglesby

Sunderland Multi-Agency Carers Strategy

Outcomes:

• Identification: Carers will be identified and recognised as early as possible to enable better support

• Recognition: Carers will be respected as expert care partners and will have access to the integrated and personalised services they and the cared for need to support them in their caring role

• Realising/Releasing Potential: Carers will be supported to engage in employment, education and training opportunities

• Ensuring a life outside of caring: Carers will be able to have a life of their own alongside their caring role

• Staying Healthy: Carers will be supported to stay healthy• Young Carers: Young carers will be supported and protected

for inappropriate caring

Sunderland Multi-Agency Carers Strategy• Chair: Local Authority Head of CommissioningMembership:• Local Authority• Sunderland CCG• Northumberland Tyne and Wear Mental Health Foundation Trust• City Hospitals Sunderland Foundation Trust• South Tyneside Foundation Trust• Sunderland Carers’ Centre• Sunderland University• Sunderland College• Job Centre +• AGE UK Sunderland

Key Collaboration : CHSFT and Sunderland Carers CentreCarers Reference Group

Outcomes : • Meet and Greet Service at entrances• Each patient is asked on admission if they “receive help from anyone”,

to prompt a discussion about carers.• Increased carer involvement in care planning; as part of Real Time

Feedback we ask 10 patients on every ward each month if carers are involved as much as they would like.

• Developed a FAQ leaflet• Discharge checklist includes carers• Carers emergency card • End of life, carers diary • Carers Charter; reinforced in induction and training

“A carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a friend, neighbour or relative who could not manage otherwise because of frailty, illness or disability”

Carers are a vital part of the wider Health and Community Care system. City Hospitals Sunderland is committed to the development of good quality, flexible services to support

patients and carers and involve carers in both care management and service planning decisions.

•Recognition & Value As carers you will be recognised as “experts” involved in all aspects of care including assessment, planning, treatment and discharge planning where appropriate.

•Working Together City Hospitals will work together with health, social and voluntary organisations to place patients and carers at the heart of all that we do.

•Recognising Young Carers City Hospitals will aim to ensure that young carers and their needs are recognised and identified at the earliest stage possible.

•Patient Advisory Liaison Service We will work closely with carer support organisations city wide by promoting contacts and ensuring an exchange of information to improve care for our patients and families.

•Staff Awareness All City Hospitals front line staff will receive carer awareness training to develop an understanding of the role of carers and recognise and respond to carers’ individual needs

•Carer Involvement As a carer you will be consulted and involved in both service reviews and care pathway development. Carers’ views will be represented throughout the organisation.

CHS Carers Charter

Awareness Raising

Carers and Staff from Sunderland Carers’ Centre involved in delivering training to• 3rd Year Medical Students• Preceptorship Nursing Staff• Health Care Assistants• Multi disciplinary teams at conferences and

workshops• Interviewing prospective HCA and Nursing

Staff

Other Carers’ Centre Involvement with CHS

• Patient Carer and Public Experience Committee• Carers Reference Group• Dementia Strategy Group• Stroke Strategy Group• Alexandra Centre drop in

Alexandra Centre“What a great idea! Mam has dementia and craves company, loves to take to and interact with people. Her mood deteriorates badly the longer she is on her own and the less social interaction she has”

“Excellent facility that allows dementia patients especially to retain social contact and have immediate access to medical support. Staff have to be commended on their splendid social skills”

Collaborative Working

Other key Initiatives

• Carer Improvement Scheme with GPs and CCG• Integrated Teams as part of the Vanguard

initiative (Carers’ Assessments)• Sunderland Care Academy • Multi-agency Young Carers Strategy• Principal Community Pathways –NTW• Continued Collaboration with Sunderland

University Social Work and Health Sciences• The Essence Service