A Carer is someone who spends a significant proportion of their time providing unpaid support to family and friends, who without this help would struggle to manage. This could be a relative friend or partner who is ill, frail, disabled or who has a mental health or substance misuse problem. Caring for relatives and friends when they are in need is a challenge the vast majority of us will rise to at some point in our lives. At any one time 1 in 10 people in Britain are Carers. Through advances in technology and medicine people now survive with complex health conditions, live longer and have multiple needs. Consequently an increasing number of people are finding themselves taking on caring roles.
A government survey of 2000 carers throughout the UK found:
· 75% felt their health was worse as a result of the strain of caring
· 67% questioned saying there had been a number of times when they were unable to visit their GP about their own health concerns, due to time constraints and lack of flexibility to leave the house to attend appointments.
· 96% of those questioned expressed concern around who would take over their role should they fall ill.
· 65% admitting that they felt their own health problems had to some extent affected their ability to care.
· Worryingly 95% of those questioned admitted covering up the fact their health is suffering in order to continue with their caring responsibilities.
For many Carers looking after their own health, combining caring with work and simply having time to take a break can be a challenge. Hanham Surgery endeavours to support patients who are Carers. We have a member of staff dedicated to supporting carers. All Carers registered at the practice have access to an annual health check as well as information and advice on the services available to them.
For more information contact Lucy Warren at Hanham Surgery 0117 947 5800 or come along to Hanham Carers group which takes place on the first Tuesday of each month 1.30pm-3.30pm at Hanham Folk Centre.
For more information for, and about carers, follow the links below:
The Princess Royal Trust Carers Center
Bristol City Council
