Registering as a carer
Carers often take a very long time to realise or accept that they are a carer. This is where staff and partners in Frimley Health and Care Integrated Care System can help, by Asking people (adults, children, and young people) when they come into an NHS service with their loved one or cared for if they are a carer (looking after someone who could not manage on their own without their help) and explaining what that means.
This will help a carer to decide whether they want to Register with their GP practice as a carer, which will give them access to Support in their local area including access to respite care, an emergency payment, emergency planning, carers assessment and other financial support depending on your circumstances. Click here (link to be added on page) for a full list of carers support services in Frimley Health and Care.
This can be done online or in person.
Online
Go to your GP practice’s website. Choose the language you would like to see the information in.
Below you will find a list of services. Under practice information, there should be a box with carer information in it.
Click on the box and this will take you to the information and registration form.
In the practice
If you prefer to visit your GP practice to register, ask at reception for help with completing the registration or for a paper copy for you to complete.
Once completed, your GP Practice Team will register you as a carer.
What registering as a carer will mean for you
Registering as a carer with your GP practice provides the practice with an opportunity to discuss with you what support you might need to help you with your caring role.
You might be invited to attend a patient participation group or a carers support group at the practice. The practice team will also signpost you to services available locally, to help you.
Your GP practice may also be able to make adjustments to appointments so you can have same time appointments with the person you care for e.g. flu jabs, or early or late appointments, support from a care coordinator, social prescriber or health & wellbeing coach etc.
Knowing you are a carer will also help the practice to improve its support for carers by asking you what would help you manage your caring role better.