Focusing on carersImplementing a carers assessment tool at Woking and Sam Beare

Hospices

Aims of the session

• Provide understanding and context of the needs of carers in end of life care.

• Introduce and discuss the role the CSNAT plays in supporting end of life carers.

• Summarise the experience for staff and carers of using CSNAT at Woking and Sam Beare Hospices.

• Demonstrate what next for our carers support.

The impact of caring

• 115,216 carers of all ages in Surrey

• Saving public purse £1.8billion per year

• 25% carers have not had a break from caring in 5 years

• 47% of carers care for 90 or more hours per week!

• On average they’re £370 per month out of pocket

The impact of caring in end of life care

• 72% of carers said they had suffered mental ill health as a result of caring.

• 61% of carers said their physical health had worsened as a result of caring.

• 2016-2017 6% drop in spending on carers since the previous year

• 37% have refused health or care support because of concerns over quality.

• 24% wait 6 months or more for a statutory carers assessment.

Identifying needsCare Act (2014) – Criteria for carers

• Carrying out any caring responsibilities the carer has for a child

• Providing care to other persons for whom the carer provides care

• Maintaining a habitable home environment in the carer’s home, whether or not this is also the home of the adult needing care

• Managing and maintaining nutrition• Developing and maintaining family or other personal

relationships• Engaging in work, training, education or volunteering• Making use of necessary facilities or services in the local

community, including recreational facilities or services• Engaging in recreational activities.

Assessment tools

CSNAT (Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool)

• Used by multiple hospices in Surrey

• Evidence based tool with regular studies supporting it’s impact including recently;• Hospital discharge• Patients with MND, dementia, stroke

• Co-production, and carer lead

• Flexible use (e.g. assessment style, organisational need)

• Free to use tool

• Training to implement it is provided

So what’s it like to use?

• 4 staff members supporting WSBH trial

• Clear, concise

• Time to use

• Clarifies needs

• Useful in identifying areas of worry or concern

• “It gets to the point and helps me recognise how I can support this person”

• Carers experiences have anecdotally been positive

• Can show progress in supporting the carer

• Carer led

• Useful in managing expectations

• Co-production of a clear action plan

What do we offer to carers?

• CSNAT carers assessment

• Social Work Team support

• Complementary Therapies

• Befriending

• Counselling

• Children’s Counselling and Support (Young Carers)

• Bereavement Support

So what next?

• Roll out of the CSNAT across hospice staff

• Carers support groups

• Increased carers champions

• Continuing to work with our hospice colleagues and the CCG

• Carers week 2019!