This Carers Rights Day (25 November), Hywel Dda University Health Board is raising awareness of the Carer Discharge Service, which runs across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.
The service is open to anyone who is an unpaid carer and who needs extra support and guidance while the person they care is hospitalised or being discharged/transferred from hospital.
Support can include help with understanding the discharge process, supporting conversations with staff and signposting to other carer services that can provide specific advice and support.
Feedback from unpaid carers includes:
“Meeting the carers officer made a huge difference to me as a carer during my mum’s hospitalisation. It was good to know that someone was there for me.”
And
“Thank you for making a traumatic experience a lot easier and lighter.”
Anna Bird, Assistant Director of Strategic Partnerships, Diversity and Inclusion for Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “The Carer Discharge Service plays a vital role helping to support and provide advice to unpaid carers through their hospital journey, whether as a carer and/or patient.
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with the third sector and local authorities on this project. It is so important to identify carers early and find out what matters most to them. By offering them support with their caring role they feel more confident supporting those leaving hospital who rely on their care at home.
“Carers contribute so much to our communities across the region and Carer’s Rights Day is an opportunity to acknowledge this.”
To access this support, unpaid carers can contact their local carers officer as follows. For community hospitals, please speak to your nearest acute hospital contact.
Bronglais Hospital
Beth Davies – 07984 464977 / beth@credu.cymru
Glangwili Hospital
Ben Innocent – 07971 597273 / ben.innocent@ctcww.org.uk
Prince Phillip Hospital
Dawn Walters – 07971 597218/ dawn.walters@ctcww.org.uk
Withybush Hospital
Karen Butler – 07712 658331 / karen.butler@hafal.org
For further information about the support available for carers, visit: https://hduhb.nhs.wales/healthcare/services-and-teams/carers-information/
Help keep news FREE for our readers
Supporting your local community newspaper/online news outlet is crucial now more than ever. If you believe in independent journalism, then consider making a valuable contribution by making a one-time or monthly donation. We operate in rural areas where providing unbiased news can be challenging. Read More About Supporting The West Wales Chronicle
