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A carer is someone of any age who provides unpaid support to a friend or family member who due to illness, a disability, a mental health problem or addiction, cannot cope without their support.
We understand the integral role carers play in supporting our patients. The patient-carer relationship is important, and we recognise this improves both the patient’s and carer’s experience of the hospital. It also helps to promote wellbeing and continuity of care.
We want to encourage this relationship as much as possible, ensuring you can continue in your caring role while your cared-for person is in hospital, should you wish.
It’s important that together we identify, involve and support you in order to get the care of the patient right.
Depending on the circumstances, some of the care you normally give will continue, while some of it may need to change. We will discuss this with you and work together to complete a carer’s agreement.
We also know caring for someone can be both emotionally and physically demanding — there are people who can support you.
Our support services for carers
Below is a list of some of the support services available at the Royal Free London:
Volunteer support
Our volunteers provide a meet and greet service to patients and their carers at our four main hospitals. They are happy to help carers navigate their way around our hospitals.
Dementia support — John’s Campaign
We’re committed to improving the experience of those with a diagnosis of dementia and their carers.
We’ve launched John’s Campaign (the right for carers of people with dementia to be welcomed onto wards outside visiting hours) across all of our wards.
To find out more, read our dementia handbook for carers or contact our dementia lead, Danielle Wilde, by email: daniellewilde
The Carer’s Passport has been introduced to support carers when vulnerable patients are admitted to the hospital.
One passport will be issued per patient. If multiple passports are required, for example for end of life patients or shared caring, please ask the ward manager or nurse in charge. Passports will be renewed weekly.
The Carer’s Passport provides you with:
Carer ID card
Please let our staff know that you are a carer so we can make sure a Carer’s Passport is issued for you.
The nurse in charge will be responsible for issuing you with a card after having a conversation with you.
Flexible visiting
The card allows you to visit the ward at all times including outside of visiting hours.
This gives you the opportunity to participate in mealtimes, personal care and to support the patient during periods of stress and anxiety.
It is important that you get rest and respite too. We strongly encourage all carers to take some time off away from the hospital.
Car parking
The passport entitles you to reduced car parking fees on presentation of your ID card at the cashier’s office.
At North Middlesex University Hospital, we have a registration plate recognition system.
Once you are issued with the parking receipt, it is important that you present it at main reception to be logged on the system.
Concession tickets are available for frequent visitors from £1 a day (£7 weekly).
Food discount
You are entitled to 20% discount on food in The Wellspring Restaurant on presentation of your ID card.
Please note that passports can be withdrawn for inappropriate use and/or if the health and welfare of the patient is compromised.
If caring has a major impact on your life, then you can have your needs as a carer assessed.
This may be done by a social worker and is an opportunity to talk to someone about how you feel about caring and how you might be helped or supported. Please see the local borough websites below for further information.
Local support services
Barnet Carers
Barnet Carers provides practical, advice, support and information for young and adult carers living in Barnet.
Camden Care Choices
Provides information and advice to adult and young carers on a number of topics including carer’s assessments, planning for crisis and finance.
Camden Carers
Camden Carers offers information, advice and support to unpaid adult carers (aged 18+) living, working or studying in Camden, or caring for someone who lives in Camden.
Centre 404
Centre 404 is a charity that offers support to people with a learning disability and their families in north London. They provide information and advice to carers, and also run regular informal discussion groups and workshops where carers can meet and talk to one another.
Enfield Carers Centre
The centre offers support and advice for all unpaid carers in Enfield.
Haringey Council
The centre offers support and advice for all unpaid carers in Enfield.
Islington Carers Hub
The hub provides advice, information and support to carers aged 18 or over who live or work in Islington or care for someone living in Islington.
National support services
Age UK
Provides advice for older people on benefits, care and housing options. They also have a range of carer’s information leaflets available for download.
Carers Trust
Carers Trust has a range of online communities carers can join for support, information, friendship and to speak to other carers.
Carers UK
Carers UK can provide help and advice on areas including finance, practical support, health and wellbeing, working and caring. They also have useful information leaflets available for download.
Dementia UK
A specialist dementia nursing care charity, there for the whole family. Their nurses, known as Admiral Nurses, provide free, life-changing support and advice to anyone affected by dementia.
The Children’s Society
Provides a map of young carers projects around the UK, along with information on topics young carers may find useful such as school, mental health, money and bills.
Mencap
Provides support and advice to people with a learning disability, and their families and carers.
NHS website
The NHS website has a dedicated social care and support guide, providing carers with information and advice on topics such as money, work and benefits, and practical tips if you care for someone.
Parkinson’s UK
Support services for adult and young carers of people with Parkinson’s disease in the UK.
