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01761 431388

GP Support For All Carers

Carers’ Lead and Medical Receptionist Val Buckfield from Somerton House Surgery with Jackie Short from the Carers’ Centre Bath and North East Somerset and full-time carer Val Henfield.

Somerton House Surgery in Midsomer Norton has improved services for all their patients who are carers. By working with the Carers’ Centre Bath and North East Somerset, access to help, support and information is now readily available to patients at the surgery who look after a friend or family member who is frail, has a physical or mental illness, disability or problem with drugs or alcohol.

Jackie Short, of the Carers’ Centre, explained: “Many people do not think of themselves as carers, so do not access the many services they are entitled to which could improve the quality of their lives. We can offer breaks away from caring, professional counselling, one to one support and benefits advice – all for free.”

The Centre is currently working with all GP surgeries in the area to bring their expertise directly to patients and to improve the services available to carers through their doctor.

More than 6 million people are carers in the UK today and have many things in common; carers are unpaid and many face a life of isolation, ill health and poverty. Bath and North East Somerset has over 16,000 carers, many of whom do not realise the support available to them.

Medical Receptionist at Somerton House Surgery is Val Buckfield. “We have been working with the Carers’ Centre to establish a Carers’ Lead – a role within the practice who links directly with carers. As I have worked here for 21 years, I know many of the patients very well; my experience helps identify people who could benefit from support available.

“We recently held a Carers’ Afternoon with a free health check and a talk about what’s available from the Carers’ Centre. Only this week I’ve identified 4 more carers we can help.”

Carer, Val Henfield, is a patient at the surgery and looks after her partner full time. “This is a valuable opportunity for all carers to realise what help is out there for them. The surgery keeps in regular contact with me; I now know all about the help the Carers’ Centre can give me – it’s really good to know they are there for me.”

For more information about how the Carers’ Centre can help, please contact 01761 431388