• Newly registering patients are asked by reception if they are a carer or if they have a carer.
• There is a message on our Patient Information whiteboard in the waiting area requesting that patients who are carers, or who have a carer, make themselves known to reception.
• Reception staff are asked to be aware of patients who regularly collect prescriptions or messages for other patients of the practice. These patients are asked if they are carers.
• Carers are also identified opportunistically during the course of consultations.
  
  Once a carer is identified:
  • We issue an information leaflet which advises them about the services available from the Wigan Carers’ Centre together with other information on services they may be able to obtain from the Social Services Department. It also provides some background and contact information about the Independent Living Fund and Second State Pensions for Carers.
  
  • If the Carer requires referral to Social Services the GP/Nurse will arrange this by telephoning Social Services 01942 827819and giving a verbal referral. This will be passed on to the appropriate team.
  
  • The Carer or patient who has a carer is identified on our Clinical system database and a note is added to the computer record of the carer and the cared for person (if that person is registered with the practice).
  Information for Carers

Who is a Carer?

A carer is anyone, irrespective of age, whose life is someway affected because of the need to take responsibility for the care of a person who has a mental problem, a learning difficulty, is elderly and frail or whose health is impaired, including the parents of a child with a disability (parent carers).

Many people who support others do not even realise they are carers.

• Carers can be any age
• Carers can be either sex
• Carers can be from all backgrounds, cultures and communities
• Carers can be family members, neighbours or friends
• Some carers may care for more than one person

Social Services

Did you know that Social Services may be able to help with the following?

• Meals of Wheels
• Respite Care
• Day Care
• Aids & Adaptations
• Home Care
• Home Help
• Social Work Assessments
• Welfare Rights Advice

Telephone your local Social Services Department for further information:

Wigan Social Services Department Central Duty Team 01942 828777.

Carers support team 01942 705975
Email: ssdcarers@wiganmbc.gov.uk

Independent Living Fund

This special fund could assist severely disabled people who meet its eligibility criteria to buy the personal assistance they need – from a private carer or care agency – to live at home rather than in residential care. For further information see the attached sheet.

Building up a State Second Pension – action for Carers

In April 2002, the Government reformed the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) creating the Second State Pension. Paid on top of the basic state pension, this provides a more generous additional State Pension for low and moderate earners, certain carers and people with long-term illnesses or disabilities. For further information on the action for Carers, please see the attached sheet.

Do you Help to Look After Someone?

A carer is someone who looks after a family member, neighbour or friend. They do not get paid.

This practice is committed to identifying and supporting carers.

With your permission, we will identify you on our computer as someone who is a carer. This will help us to understand your health needs. We can also provide information about local services that may be able to help you.

• To open and print a copy of our letter identifying you as a carer please click here.