If you provide regular, unpaid  help for a relative or a friend who has additional needs as a result of disability, physical or mental illness, ageing or substance misuse then you are a Carer, and we would like to support you.

You don’t have to be getting Carer’s Allowance to be a ‘Carer’ and you don’t have to be doing a certain number of hours or performing personal care.

At Favell Plus Surgery we recognise that caring for a friend or relative can be a rewarding experience, but it can also leave you tired and stressed. Caring may also affect your own health. Many people struggle alone, unaware of services available.

Please let us know

Around 65 of our patients are Carers but many still need to let us know.

Telling us about your situation will help us to support you better:

• You will be offered an annual flu vaccination.
• A note will be added to your record so practice staff are aware someone depends on you.
• This can help us better understand the condition of the person you care for and protect them if you became unwell.
• It will help us to look out for the warning signs of illnesses that are common among Carers, such as back pain, depression, high blood pressure etc.
• We aim to be flexible to fit appointments around your caring duties or provide joint appointments for you and the person you look after.

Tell us if you are a carer here

With your agreement we can put you in touch with the local charity Northamptonshire Carers who offer advice, support and FREE services such as:

• Gym sessions
• Carers sitting service
• Suffolk holiday chalets
• Trips & lunchbreaks
• Reiki and relaxation
• Regular telephone support
• One-to-one peer support
• Access to the Emergency Care Service
• Carers Assessment (your legal entitlement)
• Dementia Care Advice Service

If you would prefer you can contact them directly on 01933 677 907 or visit their websites:

• Northamptonshire Carers
• Who looks after you?

More information can be found on the NHS Choices website.

There is a wealth of information on the NHS website about carers and caring. Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.

• A guide to care and support

  Information for carers and people who have care & support needs.

• Caring for someone

  Advice on providing care, medicines etc.

• Care after hospital

  Providing care for people who have been recently discharged from hospital.

• Taking a break

  Caring for someone can be a full-time job - find out about accessing breaks and respite care.

• Support and benefits for carers
  

  Caring for someone can be a full-time job - find out about accessing breaks and respite care.

• Work and Disability
  

  Guidance, support and help with employment issues.

  Being a Young carer

  Advice for carers 18 or under and their entitlement to support

Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.

• Benefits for carers

  Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring role

• Benefits for the under-65s

  Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to.

  Benefits for the over-65s

  Advice and information on financial support for older people with a disability or illness.

• Carer's Assement
  

  How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits

• Other benefits

  Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring