Support for unpaid carers

At Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) we know the huge difference unpaid carers make to their loved ones and recognise the significant impact that caring can have on the health and wellbeing of unpaid carers.

We are committed to supporting unpaid carers by identifying people who have a caring role and appropriately involving them in the care and care planning for the person they care for. Our teams are trained to help identify unpaid carers and can help support you.

We use the Carers UK definition of an unpaid carer: “Anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, and cannot cope without their support”.

Ask us for a carer lanyard and card

Offering you a carer lanyard and identification card helps our staff identify you as an unpaid carer. Lanyards are available from all wards and departments. Carers tell us that this can support them to be more easily involved (with consent / permission from the person being cared for), in decisions about care.

Free or discounted parking

People who meet car parking concession requirements can receive free parking. If carers travel by other means, they may be able to receive support with other transport costs. Please see Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) - NHS (www.nhs.uk) or visit the General Office within our hospitals for support.

Visiting outside of usual visiting hours

Carers who wish to, will be supported to visit outside of usual visiting times, and we have beds available if carers wish to stay overnight. Light refreshments will be available when carers spend significant periods of time within the hospital. The Nurse in Charge will support carers with lanyards, parking concession forms and arrangements to visit out of the usual visiting times, or to arrange to stay overnight.

Managing your appointments

Appointment letters and reminders are sent to patients from mobile number 07860 039092 or 07903 580302. You can change your appointment by replying to the text message with the word ‘CHANGE’ to be given an alternative appointment date and time. You can also log into your patient portal, find the appointment and select the ‘Change appointment’ option or if using the NHS App you can request to change your appointment there. You can also use the contact number on your appointment letter for help.

We understand that it may be difficult to manage your health appointments alongside other responsibilities, please do use the change options, where you will be able to type in more information such as days and times in the week that are better for you.

If you would like to be able to support the person you care for with the NHS App you can request access to their record as well. Your GP surgery will need to set up access and can guide you through registration.

You can find out more about managing health services for others in the NHS App by visiting

www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/help/linked-profiles-in-the-nhs-app/

Carers Count

Carers Count support unpaid carers and signpost to local resources which can help. This includes supporting unpaid carers with an assessment which is a chance to discuss their needs, and signposting to a range of local services which can make a huge difference.

We have postboxes and self-referral forms in our main entrances at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and Calderdale Royal Hospital, or our staff will be happy to help you make a referral.

• Kirklees: Phone: 0300 012 0231 or email: info@carerscount.org.uk
• Calderdale: Phone: 01422 369 101 or email: info@carerscount.org.uk

Calderdale and Kirklees Carers' Charter

We have listened to what unpaid carers have told us is important to them, and developed a Charter so our staff and unpaid carers visiting CHFT know what they can expect. The Charter has been developed with our partners at Calderdale Council and Kirklees Council, in addition to carers, and will be delivered across Calderdale and Kirklees.

Further information

If you would like any further information, wish to provide feedback, or support CHFT in developing or improving services for unpaid carers, we would really like to hear from you. Please email: Patientexperience@cht.nhs.uk or call 07825 054782.