News
Health and wellbeing checks now available to carers
Carers are being given an opportunity to have free health and wellbeing checks from participating GP surgeries and other local services, thanks to an initiative from NHS Devon, Devon County Council, and Devon Carers Link. 21 GP surgeries and 3 pharmacies already have appointments available for carers health checks and a further 20 GP surgeries and other health teams across Devon have expressed interest in being part of the project and will be making appointments from April.
Because this is a pilot scheme, checks will not be available in all GP practices or all areas of Devon An updated list of all the participating services is available on DCC webpages at www.devon.gov.uk/carershealthandwellbeingchecks. The checks will be completely free to the carer who will have the opportunity to spend approximately one hour with a suitably qualified and trained person considering a broad range of health and wellbeing issues.
If a carer needs someone to look after the person they care for while they are out for the check we can pay for this - ask about how this works when making an appointment.
What are the benefits?
The click provides re-assurance for the carer and cared for It could be an opportunity to pick up on any early signs of ill health It will give time for the carer, to think about their own health It can offer advice, information and support (Including a voucher for two hours free handyman time if it is needed) It may be a chance to access any necessary treatment before a crisis develops Could this help someone you know?
GP Practices and Pharmacies are actively looking for people who may not have recognised themselves as being a ‘carer' before and may therefore not have realised that information, advice and support is available to them to enable them to care confidently and to have a life outside of caring.
If you or someone you know are providing regular and substantial amounts of care to another, please talk to your GP practice
A Young Carers Health Check is also being developed by the Children's Trust and will be piloted later in the year.Other support services for carers are available through Devon Carers Link, commissioned by Devon County Council and NHS Devon. So far 5,500 carers in Devon are registered with Devon Carers Link, which is available for anyone who provides unpaid care to a family member, neighbour or friend. Devon County Council's Cabinet Member with responsibility for adult social care, Cllr Stuart Barker, said: "Health and wellbeing checks have been identified by carers as a priority in Devon. Carers provide an essential service, and deserve support like this, which will help keep them fit and able to live their own lives while they are caring for others. "Devon Carers Link provides support to around 5,500 carers, but that's only a fraction of the total estimated number of carers in Devon. This might be because people don't identify themselves with the term ‘carer' or because they are not aware that there is support available for them. "We would like more carers to register with Devon Carers Link, to start receiving the support that they're entitled to."For more information about Devon Carers Link, telephone: 08456 431 341, or visit: http://devoncarerslink.org/