Carers

Are you able to recognise a carer?

Are you a carer yourself?

Many people do not identify that they are a carer.

Do you look after someone?

A carer looks after a family member, friend, partner or neighbour who needs support due to illness, disability or old age. The help carers give is unpaid, though you may still receive Carer’s Allowance or other benefits. You do not have to care full time, receive Carer’s Allowance or live with the person you care for to be a carer. 

If you fit the above criteria, you are a Carer.

Carer support videos can be accessed  here.

Our commitment to carers

The Trust recognises how important carers are and value their input.

As part of the Patient Experience team commitment to carers, we are working to improve our services regarding how we identify, support and recognise the value of a carer. This will involve collaborating with Devon Carers and other organisations to meet objectives in the NHS Long Term Plan.

Free parking for carers

Please click the links below for information on parking for carers who are on the Devon Carers register, when the person they care for is staying in/visiting North Devon District Hospital or the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital. 

NHS Royal Devon | North Devon District Hospital

NHS Royal Devon | Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford)

Free meal vouchers for carers at North Devon District Hospital

A patient’s stay is often less traumatic if a carer helps to plan the stay or supports them at certain times e.g. at mealtimes or stressful times such as before a procedure.  With this in mind, free meal vouchers are available on the wards for carers who are supporting a patient during their inpatient stay.

If you have any questions or would like some meal vouchers for your ward please email the patient experience team rduh.patientexperience@nhs.net

Barnstaple Health Centre

The carer should display their Devon Carers Alert Card face up on the dashboard so it is visible for the parking attendant to see.

Bideford Community Hospital

The carer should display their Devon Carers Alert Card face up on the dashboard so it is visible for the parking attendant to see.

Devon Carers

Devon Carers are available to provide support and advice to all carers. You can contact them on 03456 434 435 for access to the universal free services including carers’ newsletter, the Alert Care and local support groups. They are able to arrange a full assessment of your needs.

Advice and information can be accessed via their website here.

There are Devon Carers information leaflets available at the PALS office, Level 2, NDDH

Are you a young carer?

Devon Young Carers also work with young people aged 4-18 who help look after someone in their family, or a friend, who is ill, disabled or misuses drugs and alcohol. They work to make sure that young carers are supported through their service and others, which can include specialist advice, access to respite opportunities and 1:1 support.

For more information please go to their website here.

John’s Campaign

John’s campaign supports the right of carers and family to stay with patients with dementia in hospital.

It was founded after the death of Dr John Gerrard in November 2014, by his daughter Nicci. She believes her father, who had Alzheimer’s, would have benefited greatly if she had been able to stay with him during his time in hospital.

Nicci now campaigns for the rights of carers of patients with dementia and similar conditions to stay with their loved ones, and be involved with their care if they would like to be.

For more information on John’s Campaign please click here.

Last updated: December 28, 2023

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