providing codes, terms, synonyms and definitions used in clinical documentation and reporting effective clinical recording of data with the aim to improving patient care. There is a need to improve the identification, recognition and support of unpaid Carers as part of proactive prevention approaches being pursued at a population health level. Some GP practices have developed a register of their patients known to have caring responsibilities. There will be large differences in the scale and accuracy of these registers. Not all Carer registers are linked to patient records.
Employees do not need to give evidence of their dependant’s care needs.
If you need to look after someone in an emergency, you can take time off for this without giving a notice period. When employers can delay Carer’s leave Employers cannot refuse a Carer’s leave request but can ask the employee to take it at a different time. They can only do this if the employee’s absence would cause serious disruption to the organisation.
Speak to your GP about SNOWMED coding. Further information can be found at: www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/coding-unpaid-carers-snomed-ct/
If they delay it, the employer must:
Hospital Support There may be times where the person you care for is admitted to hospital, this may make you wonder how you will cope with their needs when they come out. A person’s needs may have changed which may result in changes within your caring role. This may be an admission which may even lead to you preparing to take on a caring role for the first time. This may make you feel confused and unsure what the next stage may be.
• Agree another date within one month of the requested date for the leave • Put the reason for the delay and new date in writing to the employee within 7 days of the original request, and before the requested start date of the leave
For further information visit: www.gov.uk/carers-leave
GP Caring for someone is a huge task and recognising the impact this can have on you is very important. We know that Carers’ health can be negatively affected as a result of caring so it is essential that Carers are identified by their GP surgeries so they can be offered help and support. It is recognised that Carers do not easily come forward, and that GPs and their teams are in the best possible position to identify Carers at all points in their caring life. If your GP knows that you are Carer, they can provide you with useful support, advice and information. It is important to tell them about your caring responsibilities so that they can offer support.
If the person you care for is unable to make their own decisions, you may be able to make decisions for them.
Either way it is important to remember that caring is a choice. You should not feel compelled to take on the role if you do not feel able to commit to the responsibilities involved. Preparing for a discharge from hospital can sometimes be a confusing and stressful time for a Carer. Whilst every discharge is different for everyone it is important to discuss this with the hospital and teams involved with the person you care for. You need to be prepared for changes which may occur at home. This could be how it will affect your own health and well-being, introduction to private care into your home or even equipment to support a person.
Benefits of GP support:
When a person is in hospital:
• Tell your GP that you have caring responsibilities as soon as possible • This will then get added to your medical record. You may be likely to access your GP more often, this can then be tailored to support you in your caring role • You could arrange ‘double’ appointments for both you and the person you care for at the same time to avoid having to visit the surgery twice. • Your GP may be able to help in providing
• Let the hospital know you are a Carer or that you will be involved in their care planning process. • Some wards may have arrangements in place for family members to spend more time on the ward assisting with feeding their loved one or generally supporting them. Make sure you ask if this is the case.
supporting letters and information to prove your role as a Carer and enable you to access certain benefits • Receive an annual flu jab. SNOWMED Codes
Each hospital will have their own discharge policy, ask for a copy of this
• Hospital wards can sometimes seem like busy places and you may feel pressure from the hospital to get the person you care for home as soon as possible • If the person you care for is unable to make their own decisions, you may be able to make decisions for them
SNOWMED codes are a collection of medical terms
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