Support when the person you care for is in hospital
Having the person you care for in hospital can be a difficult and stressful experience. But we have Hospital Carer Support Advisors at Surrey’s five main hospitals to help you.
We have staff at East Surrey, Epsom, the Royal Surrey, Frimley Park and St Peter’s.
Their role is to identify carers and to support them while their loved ones are in hospital. Whether you’re looking after someone who’s staying in hospital or just coming in for outpatient appointments, our advisors can help you. Sometimes, a new diagnosis or a development can mean you are going to need more help as a carer, so make sure you get the support you need.
Coronavirus update
Please note our Hospital Carer Support Advisors are currently not working IN hospitals, because of coronavirus. However, they continue to work from home, supporting carers over the phone and by email.
Staff in hospitals are being encouraged to refer carers they meet to our teams.
Hospital departments are still open, and if you or the person you are caring for need to go to an outpatients appointment, or for a procedure, the hospital will give you instructions on how to stay as safe as possible. Don’t forget, you need to wear a mask in any hospital or surgery, although some people are exempt. Find out more here.
If you’re currently supporting someone in hospital, you can contact our Advisors on their direct numbers below. And don’t forget you can call our Carer Information Centre too for advice, support and information – 0303 040 1234 (text on 07714 075993).
Being with someone in hospital
If you’re concerned you might have difficulty getting into hospitals or medical appointments to accompany the person you’re caring for because of COVID restrictions, we can provide you with an official, ‘NHS Carer COVID Identification Letter’. It demonstrates you are registered as a carer with our service and allows you to outline how you are needed. Find out more here.
Each hospital has its own system (often called a ‘carer’s passport’) for carers supporting someone who’s in or attending the hospital and our Hospital Carer Advisors can help you through the process.
Other hospitals
If you’re supporting someone who’s in or attending hospital outside Surrey, such as St George’s, the Royal Marsden, Moorfields, or Great Ormond Street, and are registered with us, our official NHS Carer COVID Identification Letter would also be useful in confirming your role as a carer. This can help you access the hospital’s carer services, and perhaps accompany your loved one if they need extra help. It’s easy (and free) to register with us here – and we can help you in other ways too.
How our Hospital Carer Support Advisors help carers
They work closely with hospital staff to identify carers, and can approach them directly. Often they bridge communication gaps between the carer and the hospital, and offer advice, information, as well as emotional support. Importantly, they can speak on your behalf, including at some meetings. They also signpost carers and their loved ones to support from other organisations.
Every hospital works slightly differently, but our Hospital Carer Support Advisors know each hospital well, so they can guide you through the system and make sure you access all the help available.
They can also help with the discharge process, which can be especially challenging for carers, as well as put them in touch with ACS’s Carer Support Advisors, back in the community. We can also refer on to our Moving and Handling team, if you need to give more physical help to the person you care for, following their hospital stay.
Find out about getting support from our Hospital Advisors by calling us on 0303 040 1234.
Our hospital carer support advisors
Royal Surrey County Hospital
Naheeda Majid: Wednesday – Thursday
07850 515457
Naheeda.majid@actionforcarers.org.uk
Read more about Naheeda’s work at the Royal Surrey County Hospital here
Epsom Hospital
Michele Moore: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
07736 561978
Michele.moore@actionforcarers.org.uk
Michele mainly works with the ‘@Home Team’ bringing hospital services to the patient’s own home.
Read more about Michele’s work at Epsom Hospital here
East Surrey Hospital
Stuart Woods: Mondays, Tuesdays in the hospital, but available all week
07989 402781
Stuart.woods@actionforcarers.org.uk
Read more about Stuart’s work at East Surrey Hospital here
St Peter’s Hospital: Monday – Thursday
Sam Caine
Read more about Sam’s work at St Peter’s here.
and Frimley Park Hospital – Fridays
Read more about Sam’s work at Frimley Park here.
07989 402764
Sam.caine@actionforcarers.org.uk
