You may want to look after a relative but need more time to work or go to school if you are a young carer; everyone needs time to themselves.
If you are over 16, you can ask for a Carer’s Needs Assessment from your local authority. If you are under 16, you can be assessed for help from your local authority if the person you are caring for has already had an assessment.
These assessments are not tests. They are a chance for you to talk to social services to see if they can help you. The local authority then looks at the results of the assessment to see if you are entitled to any extra help to care for the person you are looking after.
The main Patient Experience office at Bradford Royal Infirmary can be contacted on 01274 364021.
If you provide regular and substantial care for anyone, you should consider having an assessment as soon as possible so you do not miss out on anything you might be entitled to.
The person you look after should not be discharged from hospital until they are medically fit, their needs have been assessed and any support they need is in place.
Our staff should give you time to consider whether or not you want to or are able to care for the patient once they leave hospital. We can make other arrangements while you decide.
If you decide you are going to provide regular and substantial care, you are entitled to your own Carer’s Needs Assessment from social services. If you think you are unable to provide the right care for any reason, you could still be involved in helping to shape the care plan.
You can ask the local authority at any time for a reassessment if the needs of the person you are looking after change.