You may not see yourself as a carer in the formal sense if the person you are looking for is a partner, relative or friend. However, if you look after someone with a health problem, you may be entitled to help and support.
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 by the local authority if the person you care for has already had an assessment.
If you are still unsure about anything, please get in touch with our Patient Experience team, who may be able to help. They can be contacted on: 01274 364021.
It outlines the health and social care support that will be provided to the person you look after, and includes the details of any community support, how often this needs to be provided, who will be responsible for care and how to contact them.
It is very important that the views of the patient’s carer are taken into account, including whether you are willing to provide care when the person you look after leaves hospital. Care plans should be reviewed annually, if not more frequently.
There are lots of charities that provide help, support and respite to carers. Exactly what is available will differ depending on where you live but you can find some ideas of the things on offer below.
Patient Experience team
General information, support and advice for all patients and carers
Telephone: 01274 364021
Local authority
Find your local authority and their contact details at the following website:
www.gov.uk/find-your-local-council
Bradford Council – Integrated Carers’ Service
The service provides help and support for carers to live a life of their own alongside their caring role. This is done by helping carers to discover opportunities for social and leisure activities as well as training, work and education.
Carers’ Resource
Information, advice and support for carers throughout the region.
Making Space – Bradford and Airedale Carer Support Service
Professional and caring support workers provide a free service to carers in Bradford and Airedale.
Barnardo’s Bradford Young Carers Service
A partnership between Barnardo’s, Bradford CCG’s and the local authority, the service was established in 1994 and has continued to address the needs of young carers aged 5 to 18 by working with a range of agencies.