Model for carers' wellbeing
About
TIER 2 APPROVED
The development and commissioning of an integrated system of carers’ services was required as more than 5,700 young and adult carers were registered at Halton Carers Centre - one in eight of Halton’s total population.
Halton Borough Council and Halton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have worked with Halton Carers Centre to improve the wellbeing of carers to:
- Increase the number of known carers
- Provide opportunities for a life outside caring
- Improve carers’ health and wellbeing
- Utilise carers’ experiences to improve commissioning, planning and quality of services
Co-ordinated initiatives - identification and support of carers in hospitals, primary care and mental health settings by dedicated Carer Centre staff; activities where carers take a break; training and confidence courses; involvement in forums; regular assessments; on-going support – have proved successful.
Using the WHO 5 index, measuring carers’ health and wellbeing, results show 80% (1,040) experienced improved health, sleep, social life and ability to cope with their caring role.
The model is being used to identify carers in health services and adapted to identify young carers in local schools and colleges.
The work was shortlisted in the Health Service Journal Awards 2015.