A carer is anyone who provides unpaid care, for a friend, partner or family member. The person they care for may be older, unwell, have a disability, a mental health problem or an addiction. They could support them for just a few hours a week or 24 hours a day, and will often not see themselves as a carer.

It is important that carer’s are involved in discussions around their loved one’s care. They will often know every aspect of the person’s life, and can be a spokesperson for someone unable to describe their own situation, whether they are well or unwell.

There is a lot of online support available to help carers maintain their health and wellbeing.

We value the role that carers play in the lives of those who use our services. We make the following commitments to work together with our carers as expert partners in care:

  • Respect you. We will listen and respect you. Making sure your experience with the patient is known to all relevant staff, so they are aware of your needs as a carer
  • Value you as an equal partner. We will involve you in the decisions about the care and treatment of the person you care for. Including their recovery planning and at discharge, so you can best support them when they leave our services
  • Support you. We will chat with you to understand your own needs so we can improve your health and wellbeing. Informing you of your right to a Carer’s Assessment under the Care Act of 2014.​​​​​​
  • Recognise you. We will develop a Trust wide training programme for identifying carers of all ages. This will ensure you are visible throughout the patient’s journey with us
  • Make you the named contact. We will identify you as the primary carer at the earliest opportunity. Ensuring you have contact details for the service / ward to get updates about the person you care for
  • Involve you. We will include you in the planning and development of our services, with the opportunity to join patient and carer participation groups across the Trust.At Blackpool Teaching Hospitals we value the role that carers play in the lives of those who use our services. We make the following commitments to work together with our carers as expert partners in care

If you feel you are not being listened to, or not being supported as a carer, please talk to the service manager or nurse in charge of this area. 

Useful links (external)

Blackpool Carers Centre is an independent, local charity and network partner of Carers Trust. They provide a range of services to support and enhance the lives of unpaid carers of all ages throughout Blackpool and the Fylde Coast.

n-compass and Carers Link Lancashire work together under the name of  Lancashire Carers Service to provide support across the whole county. The services provide:

  • Carers’ assessments and reviews
  • Coffee and chat support groups in north and central Lancashire
  • Regular magazines providing information on local groups, activities and courses
  • Support for contingency and emergency planning
  • A huge range of digital resources
  • Access to a CHAT line manned by empathetic and helpful people 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
  • Access to a Volunteer Befriending and Sitting in Services to help you take a break from caring and provide additional company and support
  • Access to other community, health and wellbeing services
  • Opportunities to volunteer, make friends and provide support for others
  • Carers’ awareness briefings
  • A Carers’ Community Network to share your experiences and make new friends

Carers Link Lancashire  is an independent registered charity whose aim is to support unpaid carers across the boroughs of east Lancashire.

Carers Trust  is a major charity for, with and about carers.

Carers UK is the UK’s only national membership charity for carers. It is both a support network and a movement for change.

Healthy Caring Guide –  NHS England, in partnership with Carers UK, Carers Trust Age UK, Public Health England, and older carers themselves, has published a Practical Guide to Healthy Caring. The Guide provides information and advice to carers about staying healthy whilst caring and identifies the support available to help carers maintain their health and wellbeing. While it is aimed at carers of any age, it is particularly relevant for carers aged around 65 years and those new to caring.