It is estimated that there are up to 1.5 million people in the UK caring for a relative or friend with a mental health problem. For those requiring inpatient care it is important to remember that being admitted to a mental health unit can be a stressful experience, not just for the person receiving treatment, but for their friends and family as well.
“Carers Week is an important point in the calendar. It reminds all of us, if we ever need reminding, of the stress that caring for a loved one with a mental health problem can bring. Entering the mental health system for the first time can be a daunting and terrifying experience, not just for the individual, but for all those around them.The role of carers often goes unnoticed, unrewarded, and without thanks. We all have a responsibility to do what we can to help those carers who carry a big responsibility of their own, and that is why Cygnet is doing what it can to promote Carers Week, and support those people week in; week out.”David Cole, Chief Executive, Cygnet Health Care
As a provider of inpatient mental health services, Cygnet Health Care recognises that carers have an integral part to play in the recovery and well-being of our service users; and we are committed to supporting those that carry out this role. At the same time a key part of NHS England’s Commissioning for Quality and Innovation objectives for 2014-15 was ‘Supporting Carer Involvement’.
As a result, over the last 12 months, our hospitals have developed a number of carer initiatives that not only have met NHS England’s objective of supporting carer involvement, but which also fit into the theme of this year’s Carers Week – Building Carer Friendly Communities.
- Most of our hospitals now run quarterly or twice yearly carers events where carers are invited for lunch, given the opportunity to meet members of the multi-disciplinary team, and offered a range of activities including talks on mental health conditions, treatments and therapies provided at the hospital.
- A number of our hospitals have begun producing a regular carer newsletter. Cygnet Hospital Beckton’s newsletter, Informing and Supporting Care Givers was a direct result of feedback from a carer who attended one of the hospital’s carer events.
- Cygnet Hospital Bierley have introduced a hospital Care Lead as the main point of contact for all carers.
- Cygnet Hospital Derby, in addition to hosting a regular Carers Forum also provides tours of the unit and includes ‘Carers Awareness Training’ as part of the induction programme for new staff.
- Carers are invited to ward round and CPA meetings.
- Carers have been consulted on the content of carer specific pages on the Cygnet Health Care website as well as on what we can do to improve the website for carers.
- In May we hosted a one-day conference in Birmingham titled ‘Users and Carers in Secure Services’. The programme of the conference included service users and carers presenting on their own experiences. Feedback from the event was really positive with one delegate remarking that it was a, “powerful reminder of the importance of involving carers at all stages”.
- We have also recently developed an online ‘Family and Friends Satisfaction Survey’ that is available to complete either via our website or on a tablet for carers visiting one of our hospitals.