January 2023 Newsletter - Young Carers
In this update
- COVID-19 Vaccination Autumn Booster Programme
- Young Carers Ten Top Tips for GPs
- Virtual Ward Films for Sharing
- UN Carers Decision - Sufficiency of Supply of Carers Support Services
- Patient, Carer and Public Voice members needed for the NHS Assembly
- Useful links
Welcome to our latest newsletter, which we hope you find useful and informative. If there's a colleague or another provider in your network that you think would like to receive the newsletter, please feel free to forward it onto them.
Please let us know if you have anything you would like us to share or publicise in a future issue.
COVID-19 Vaccination Autumn Booster Programme
Unpaid Carers aged 16 or over who care for someone who relies on their help are being encouraged to have COVID-19 Autumn booster with a range of support available including help with transport, help for the cared for person if the carer has difficulty leaving them, home vaccination.
There are also outreach clinics operating in the local authority areas.
All paid and unpaid carers can book their COVID-19 booster through the National Booking Service, calling 119 for free, or find a walk-in appointment through the online vaccination walk-in finder this site shows which sites can vaccinate people in different age groups.
When you arrive for your vaccination, please let the vaccine staff know that you are a carer. This will help us ensure that you receive the care and support you need.
Access to the support including for carers that have difficulty leaving those they care for must be done via local authorities in Devon.
Young Carers Ten Top Tips for GPs
A young carer means a person under 18 who provides or intends to provide care for another person such as providing practical or emotional support.
Below are 'Ten Top Tips' that matter most to young carers when visiting a GP Practice or making direct contact with them (Source: Carers Federation).
As an individual GP or GP Practice you can make small changes to help support this group of Young People by implementing the following:
- If you don't understand about young carers and our roles - ask us.
- Acknowledge us, include us in conversations when attending appointments with the cared for person.
- Ensure GP Practices have a designated notice board for young carers that includes key information for services.
- Ensure GP Practices have a young carer register and we are encouraged to register.
- Call to remind us of appointments not just send a text. Receptionists should be aware of the situation maybe when the parents come in especially in the current pandemic.
- Try to accommodate for us to still be seen if we run late.
- Try to give us a bit of extra time during the appointment so we don't feel rushed.
- Try to ensure an appointment that will best suit us (with the GP or Nurse that we are most comfortable with).
- Offer us annual telephone or face to face health checks.
- Identify a young carer champion in every practice so young carers have a key point of contact.
Read the An NHS England blog including 'Top Tips' for GPs on how to help young carers in just 5 minutes.
Virtual Ward Films for Sharing
Community Health and Care Team, NHS England South West have created videos that they hope will be used widely to promote the benefits of virtual wards.
Here are the links:
Please feel free to share on social media or with your contacts.
UN Carers Decision - Sufficiency of Supply of Carers Support Services
John Bangs OBE, Independent Carers Policy Advisor has written an article on a landmark decision enhancing carers rights and emanating from the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Maria Simona Bellini v. Italy 2022).
This means that local authorities and Integrated Care Boards should ensure the availability of sufficient services to support carers when engaged in the strategic planning and commissioning of services.
Patient, Carer and Public Voice members needed for the NHS Assembly
NHS England are inviting applications to become Patient, Carer and Public Voice members of the NHS Assembly.
They are looking to recruit a small number of individuals committed to bringing their experience, knowledge, perspective and challenge into the NHS Assembly's work, to join an existing small group of Patient, Carer and Public Voice members.
If you would like more information or have any questions about the role contact england.nhsassembly@nhs.net
Share your stories with us
Do you have any good news stories or information that you would like to share with the wider Young Carers Network in Plymouth?
Please email Time4U@plymouth.gov.uk with your suggestions.
We'd love to share all the amazing things you are doing!
Is the information correct?
Let us know if the information on this page needs updating.
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This page was last updated on 18 January 2023
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