This Carers Week we’re celebrating being recognised for the work we do to put the carers of people with mental health conditions at the centre of their loved one’s care plan.
We have achieved stage two of the Carers Trust’s Triangle of Care accreditation scheme. The framework promotes safety, recovery, and well-being by ensuring everyone is involved in the care process. Almost 100 of our teams were involved in the reaccreditation process by self-assessing, before a peer review from a panel of carers, something the Carers Trust described as a ‘significant achievement'.
Statics from the Carers Trust reveal there are an estimated seven million unpaid carers in the UK, 13% of whom support people with mental health conditions, and these carers can provide vital insight into the treatment and condition of those they care for.
One such example is Mandy from Ormskirk who cares for her adult son who is treated by LSCft’s Early Intervention Service. She is involved in family therapy to as part of the Triangle of Care alliance, supporting patient and carer alike.
Mandy said:
“Our family therapist has really helped me to understand my role as a carer on top of being a mum. It was quick that we got the support, my son was diagnosed with psychotic disorder and it really helped. I’ve been involved from the start. It was a great support for me because at times back then I was terrified of how he could be with his anger. It’s really helped with his recovery journey for me to be involved in his care and with family therapy and today he’s doing well.”
Meanwhile, at the Harbour, Dementia Nurse and Ward Sister Michelle Hawkins has been instrumental in signing up to John’s Campaign, a movement that advocates for the rights of carers to be present with dementia patients in hospitals.
As part of this, the carers of LSCft dementia patients are allowed unrestricted visiting, there are regular carers cafés and reception meetings with families and carers to design bespoke person-centred care plans.
Trust Carer Experience and Improvement Manager Jenna Crook said:
“We are incredibly proud to have achieved the two-star Triangle of Care accreditation. This milestone reflects our commitment to involving and supporting carers as partners in care. The insight of carers, who know their loved one best, is crucial in helping us deliver personalised and compassionate care. This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our teams and our continued focus on building meaningful and collaborative relationships with carers.”
Carers Trust Triangle Care Lead, Mary Patel said:
“Our peer panel was pleased to see that the ‘think carer’ ethos is becoming well embedded at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. The Trust uses carer feedback and involvement to inform quality improvement. Mandatory carer awareness training is newly introduced, and the fact there is a good number of committed carer champions across the Trust is to be commended. The panel would like to convey our heartfelt congratulations to all Trust colleagues involved for their efforts and achievement, and of course to the carers involved.”
