Carers information
Last updated: Tuesday 17 September 2024A carer is someone who supports (not as a profession) a relative, child, friend or neighbour who could not manage without their help, for example due to frailty, illness, disability, mental health or addiction.
We try to provide support for carers if you or the person you care for need to use our hospitals.
Do you care for someone who is in hospital? Or are you in hospital and have someone at home who you usually care for?
Hospital carers support coordinators are available to offer support, information and advice to help you in your caring role. Not everyone chooses to become a carer and many carers don’t see themselves as one. If you would like a chat or more information on what services are available, please make contact using the details below.
If you are looking after someone who is not in hospital, support is still available from Warrington Carers Hub or Halton Carers' Centre. Both centres support adult and young carers. Services include:
- emotional support
- advocacy
- information and advice
- signposting/referral service
- counselling
- financial advice
- training
- therapies
For more information contact:
Warrington Carers Hub
Call: 0300 303 0623
Email: enquiries@warringtoncarershub.org.uk
Website: https://www.n-compass.org.uk/
Halton Carers' Centre
Call: 01928 580182 or 07880 290310
Email: help@haltoncarers.co.uk
Website: https://haltoncarers.co.uk/
Carers of patients at the hospital
We appreciate that families, friends and neighbours have an important role in meeting the care needs of many patients, both before admission to hospital and following discharge.
We want to promote the health and independence of carers by involving them during the patient's stay in hospital, and planning his or her discharge.
If you are a carer and have to come into hospital it is important that you make hospital staff aware of your caring responsibilities. They will explain where you can go to receive appropriate advice and support.
We encourage staff to recognise the important role of the carer, and you can read more about that here: John's campaign.
Carers and reasonable adjustments
At Warrington and Halton Hospitals we are committed to ensuring equal healthcare for all people. This includes ensuring that you, as a carer, are empowered to have the information and support to enable you to participate in making the best decisions for the person you care for.
What can you do?
There are several things that we actively encourage carers to do:
- If the person you care for is admitted to hospital, it is important that they bring a health passport (if they have one) and that you work with staff to identify the needs of the patient.
- Ask for the names of the nurses who are looking after the person you care for so you have a point of contact.
- Exercise your right to request updates from the ward team.
- If, for any reason, you feel that your views are not being heard or involved you can ask to see the ward manager or the department matron to discuss your concerns.
If you feel you need further support and advice you can contact our PALS team.