Information for Carers

A carer is anyone, including a child, who looks after a family member, partner or friend. They give unpaid care to those close to them who cannot cope on their own because of illness, frailty, disability, mental health difficulties or problems with addiction.

As a Trust, we recognises the vital role that carers play in the health and wellbeing of those they care for. Carers have a right, but not a duty, to continue to care whilst the person they care for is in hospital.

Having a loved one in hospital can be a distressing time for a carer, particularly young carers, so we want to do all we can to ensure carers are involved and supported at our hospital.

Carer Passport

Did you know we have the Carer Passport Scheme at our hospital? This allows:

flexibility with visiting times
free parking
discounted food and drinks from Damers restaurant
inclusion in care
inclusion to assist at mealtimes
involvement in discussion and planning for discharge
access to information about patient care (with relevant consent).

A carer passport with 'Our Dorset, Your Local NHS and Councils Working Together' written on it.

If you would like a Carer Passport, please speak to a senior member of the ward and they can arrange this for you and provide you with carer’s lanyard. Both the passport and lanyard will make you easily identifiable to our staff on the ward.

The ward can also provide you with a parking concession slip which you will need to take to the Transport Hub (near the main entrance hospital barriers).

Carer Support Service

If your cared-for person has been admitted to Dorset County Hospital there is a Carer Support Service to help and Support you throughout their inpatient stay.

Call: 0800 783 8058
Email: patientexperience@dchft.nhs.uk

Further support and information

If you are caring for someone in the Dorset Council area there is further support available:

Dorset Carers Service from Help and Care in association with MYTIME Young Carers
0303 303 0153
carers@helpandcare.org.uk

Dorset Council
Carers’ support – Dorset Council

Bridgit Care
Bridgit – online self-help platform for carers – Dorset Council
This is useful platform of information and signposting to local support. You can also inform your GP of your caring role, create a self-help plan, download a carer friendly ID card and also start a carer’s assessments.