If you identify someone as a carer, please discuss with them a referral to Carer Support Dorset. This will ensure they find out what support is available to them locally. They will be able to talk to a member of our Carer Adviser team and, if necessary, can be referred for a Carers Assessment with Dorset Council. Click here to refer a carer to our services.
GP practices
GP practices are often the first point of contact for carers and are primary referrers to Carer Support Dorset for support for carers.
It’s important GP practices identify the people registered with them who are carers. Providing support early on – such as referring to Carer Support Dorset and other organisations who can help with their specific needs – can protect the health and wellbeing of a carer and ensure they are able to continue caring for as long as they wish to do so.
We work closely with GP practices and offer a range of support, including supplying information through leaflets and posters, advice on how to be more carer friendly and can even run Carers Clinics on behalf of the surgery.
For all information, advice, best practice and resources to create carer friendly primary care services, GP practices can visit the SharePoint intranet page: Carers Information.
Example advice and resources include:
– Have a carers’ notice board in reception / waiting rooms with carers information, including Carer Support Dorset’s services download our leaflet/poster here.
– Keep a carers’ register – the SharePoint intranet page outlines a template in order for GP Practices to do this
– Use annual flu clinics to identify and support previously ‘hidden’ or unknown carers.
How to contact us
If you work for a GP surgery and would like to find out more about our work with GP surgeries, please contact us on 0800 368 8349.
