Being a carer can be rewarding, but it can also be exhausting, isolating, and overwhelming. Having the right support at the right time can make a huge difference. That’s why so much work is happening across South Tees to ensure all GP Practices have the opportunity to work towards achieving Carer Friendly GP Practice status.
When GP practices understand carers’ needs, everyone benefits by:
• better use of health and social care resources
• healthier, happier carers and less chance of ‘Burnout’
• better outcomes for the people you care for
How many practices are already Carer Friendly?
So far, 8 GP practices across Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland have successfully achieved Carer Friendly status, with another 8 currently working towards it. A further 8 practices have already taken important first steps, such as carer awareness training or beginning the accreditation process.
Importantly, five of the accredited practices have carried out a full ‘carer data cleanse’ which has involved actively looking for patients who are carers but haven’t yet been identified. This work has already uncovered 771 previously “hidden” carers, ensuring they now have access to the help and support they deserve.
Examples from local GP practices
- Acklam Medical Centre, Middlesbrough now has 1,087 unpaid carers registered, including 23 young carers.
- Hillside Surgery, Skelton has identified 259 hidden carers increasing their carers register by 67%.
Gina Bayliss, Management Partner at Brotton Surgery, said:
“Once we started the accreditation process, I realised that we already had many of the recommended best practices for supporting carers in place. Sharing ideas with other practices and care organisations has helped us make sure our advice and support for carers stays current and effective.”
And carers themselves are noticing the difference. One carer, who supports her husband with dementia, said:
“I am well impressed with your surgery regarding dementia. They asked if I needed support when we visited. I said we were okay just now, but it’s good to know they are supportive.”
What does a GP practice have to do to become Carer Friendly?
Practices work towards the Care Quality Markers; an NHS England framework developed with carers and healthcare professionals. These
markers help surgeries improve how they identify, support, and work with carers.
Key actions include:
1. Appointing a Carer Ambassador in each surgery - someone responsible for championing carers and improving support.
2. Identifying hidden carers - this includes asking the right questions during appointments and encouraging carers to self-identify.
3. Raising awareness by displaying Carer Friendly status online and in the surgery and sharing information on local organisations providing support for carers.
4. Improving access by offering flexible appointments, carer health checks, and being mindful of carers’ time pressures.
5. Training staff by ensuring all team members understand carers’ challenges and supporting staff members who are carers themselves.
What can you do as a carer?
You can help your GP practice support you better by:
1. Making sure your GP knows you’re a carer
Many carers aren’t recorded on the practice’s carers register, meaning they miss out on advice, flexible appointments, health checks, and local support.
You can register as a carer by downloading, printing, and completing the carer registration form, then handing it in to your GP surgery.
GP Surgery Carer Identification (WCYC).pdf
2. Asking your GP about Carer Friendly accreditation
Find out if your practice is accredited, working towards it, or would like more information. Your interest can encourage them to take part.
Susan Lee, Primary Care Co-ordinator at Teesside Mind, is leading this work with GP surgeries as part of the funded services by Middlesbrough Council and Redcar and Cleveland Council which include Carers Together, The Junction Foundation and Teesside Mind.
Susan says:
“I am delighted that the Carer Friendly GP Practice initiative is now becoming established across both Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland. By working in partnership with GP practices, I'm able to offer carer awareness training sessions as well as support the practice to implement practical new ideas to help carers by using the NHS England Care Quality Marker framework. The initiative has resulted in more unpaid carers being recognised so they can be added to the carers register, and offered appropriate levels of support.”
You can find the full list of all accredited and 'working towards' GP Practices here
