Support in Hospital

Carers have a valuable role to play in the care of our patients

When someone you care for needs to go into hospital it can be a worrying and stressful. Carers will have individual circumstances and variable skills that need to be taken account of when planning patient care. Please discuss your individual situation with the ward staff.

If you are admitted to Hospital

There may be times when you need to go into hospital. If possible, it is best to plan ahead so arrangements are put in place so the person you care for can continue to receive support.
If the person you care for lives in Bristol please call Care Direct on 0117 922 2700
If they live in South Gloucestershire please call the adult care team at South Gloucestershire Council on 01454 868007.

If you need to go into hospital in an emergency out-of-hours you can access support through the Emergency Duty Team on 01454 615 165 who cover South Gloucestershire and Bristol. 

The carers emergency card can also provide emergency care to the person you care for in emergencies. 

View an information leaflet from Carers Support Centre on the support for carers through GP practices and in hospital.

Carer Liaison Service - One to one support for you in hospital

Carer Liaison Workers are based at Southmead Hospital and can provide help, support and advice to carers through their hospital journey as a carer and/or patient, working directly on hospital wards and signposting to other services for support. They can liaise between the discharge team, ward staff and carers and their family, to help with any concerns or worries. 

The Carers Support Scheme

If you are a Carer who spends a minimum of three hours per day or 20 hours or more over a seven day period, in hospital providing support to a patient you may be eligible for the Carers Support Scheme.

The Carers Support Scheme recognises the vital role that unpaid Carers play in supporting both patient and ward staff whilst in hospital.
Through the scheme, Carers are entitled to:

• Access to staff restaurant – Carers can request an access pass to allow them to use the staff restaurant.
• Complementary Parking for the duration of the stay in hospital
• Support to stay overnight on a fold out bed or reclining chair
• Referral to the cares Liaison Support team

The care and support you may be providing could include; washing and dressing, feeding, falls prevention, reducing anxiety, emotional support and end of life care.

If you think you might be eligible speak to a member of staff on the ward who will be able to make an application for you. 

We are aware, however, that some carers do not wish to continue caring when the person they care for is in hospital and some carers choose to use this time as a period of respite. We will support carers with their choice.