Carer Helen Atwood says the ID card made it easier to visit her husband
Identifying carers
COVID-19 has presented a number of challenges for everyone; but a new initiative by the NSLHD Carer Support Service is helping to open doors for those when they need it most.
The Carer Identification Card clearly identifies carers to staff, smoothing the path at what can often be a difficult time. One carer who has been helped by the ID card is Helen Atwood, whose husband was a burns patient at Royal North Shore Hospital. Helen said the ID gave her stress-free movement between her carers’ accommodation in the Douglas Building to her husband’s bedside. “I think because of COVID the ID has made it a lot easier, they see this and I can go on my way,” Helen said. “Everyone across the board has been fantastic; I have nothing but praise for social work and Barbara [Lewis, carer support manager] and all the staff in the hospital.”
Helen said her husband’s hospitalisation was challenging enough, without the introduction of a Greater Sydney lockdown, which meant she could not return home to the Hunter Valley, nor could anyone come and visit. NSLHD Carer Support Manager Barbara Lewis said the simple initiative was delivering great benefits for carers, their loved ones and staff. “The ID is a small, but helpful way to identify carers and ensure they receive the support they need from all staff,” she said. “For someone like Helen, it allowed her to move around in what is a challenging environment for visitors currently, but for staff it also identifies a person who has
intimate knowledge of the patient and their care needs. “Identifying carers is not only important during these times, but all the time. “It is anticipated that this initiative will be ongoing to help our health service staff know who the carer is and provide the right engagement with them, throughout their journey, whether they are accessing hospitals for acute care of outpatient appointments. “I would encourage those who would like to know more about the ID, or any other ways they can support carers, to contact our team.”
34
NSLHDNEWS | 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online