‘It’s your health that matters’

Walking the Talk

Carer Program Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD)

Evelyn Jelercic and Carla Farrar

Showcasing carer support in NSW

Carers NSW Conference 2019

Carer Acknowledgement

We would also like to recognise the carers in NSW and those present here today.

These carers may be our clients, may care for our clients or are colleagues or employees.

‘It’s your health that matters’ Health Care Services Plan 2020-2030 ISLHD

A 10-year roadmap for the delivery of ISLHD’s Vision:

Excellent services, quality partnerships, healthy communitiesFocus Areas – Strengthen care in the community

– Strengthen partnerships and engagement

- Promote, protect and maintain the health of the community

Plan identifies population groups at higher risk of poor health, carers are not targeted

Carers NSW 2018 Carer Survey - Illawarra Shoalhaven Carer Profile:

• average 79 hours per week caring

• 15 years was the average length of time spent caring

• 32% were caring for more than one person

• 37% of carers themselves had a long-term illness or disability

• 54% had no support from family & friends

‘It’s yo

Excellent ServicesCarer Program

Aims to improve the responsiveness of the Health District to identify, partner with and support carers, including working carers.

Collaboration with Workforce to produce

the Working Carers intranet site, with links to

the Carer Program intranet: http://islhnintranet/Primary_Ambulatory_Care/Carers_Program/Carers_Home.asp

Produced information and education resources:

Carers booklet and Carer Stories videos https://youtu.be/JPBT_Zgh1Ks (20 mins complete video, 5 carer stories)

h https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcnNDKoEcW0&list=PLQX1-JZcXGspCYigkMunktfly9rmd5S1f (3-6 mins individual carer stories)

Carer Workshops and Information Sessions, In-services, Guest Speakers, Carer Support

Quality PartnershipsCarer Identification

Patients and their carers have a better experience when they are acknowledged and able to talk to and work with health professionals. When health staff know the patient has a carer or is a carer they are able to provide timely and relevant information, support and referrals as needed.

Carer EngagementAn emerging focus in Government policy and accreditation is the importance of engaging patients, carers and consumers in care partnerships and service review and improvement.

The Carer Program’s carer email database enables information sharing and the opportunity for carers to be involved in consumer engagement activities – examples include Way Finding participation, Re-development planning – Carer Zones, My Care Boards and Carers booklet consultations, NSW Carers Strategy.

This aligns with the NSW Carers (Recognition) Act 2010, NSW Carers Strategy 2014-2019, the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards (second edition), the NSW State Health Plan, NSW Health Recognition and Support for Carers Key Directions 2018-2020, and ISLHD’s Health Care Services Plan 2020-2030.

NSW Health Patient Administration Systems (PAS) and Electronic Medical Record (eMR) screens are being changed to

record and display if a patient has caring responsibilities or receives ongoing support from a family member or friend.

Healthy Communities

ISLHD’s Health Care Services Plan describes a health system that supports people to stay well in the community.

Identifying the Carer at Patient Registration (IB2019_031) acknowledges Carers are more likely to experience physical and mental ill health and disability than the general population.

Carers NSW 2018 Carer Survey - 49% of carers report dissatisfaction with their own health.

University of Canberra, Health Research Institute’s 2016 Regional Wellbeing Survey report - the ‘wellbeing gap’ between carers and non-carers was largest for their satisfaction with their health.

Carers who had good access to breaks from caring/respite care, a supportive GP, counselling, home support, advice and information, financial support and support from family and friends, all reported significantly better wellbeing.

A solution identified by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety carer hearings is improved education of professionals.

When they or the person they support present to health services, carers may not discuss their wellbeing unless health staff specifically ask.

Healthy carers are the foundation of healthy communities.