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Carers Help Improve Hospital Experience

Left to right: Neil Drinkwater from the Carers' Centre with RUH staff Dr Katherine Asplin, Chris Brasier - Charge Nurse and Ben Woodland - Nurse.

 

A joint initiative from The Royal United Hospital and the Carers’ Centre aims to benefit staff, patients and their carers during hospital stays. The Carers’ Resource Pack contains vital information to help staff understand patients’ needs and improve their experience at the hospital.

Neil Drinkwater from the Carers’ Centre explained. “Carers are telling us that when a loved one goes into hospital, they want to be more involved in the decision-making around their care. The Carers’ Resource Pack contains a questionnaire to be completed by the carer with useful information about the patient. This will help everyone work together and communicate more effectively as a team.”

Through the Centre, the hospital asked for feedback from carers about how it could improve. The Carers’ Resource Pack is part of a range of collaborative services developed as a result. Another improvement is a Carers’ Officer based at the hospital, visiting patients on wards and providing their carers with information and advice about services that could help them.

“We are constantly finding new carers from across the region at the RUH,” added Neil. “Looking after someone who is frail, ill or disabled can mean giving up work, struggling financially and damage to health for carers. Often they do not realise the help and support available to them.”

Dr Chris Dyer, Consultant Geriatrician at the RUH has been leading the launch of the new resource. “We are delighted to be working so closely with Carers' Centre and recognise carers as expert partners in the treatment and care of patients. Admission is a worrying time for vulnerable patients and their carers - the Carers’ Resource Pack will help to ensure we understand their needs more clearly. We think this will be a big step forward."