Carers to be given a free break

A breaks scheme is being launched at GP surgeries across Wiltshire during Carers Week this year to give unpaid carers who are suffering ill health as a result of their role, or who have a long term health condition, the chance to have a free break.

GPs and Practice Nurses will be able to ‘prescribe’ a social, leisure or health break to those that they identify as a carer in order to give them an opportunity to take some time out from looking after a relative or friend who, due to illness, disability, age, eating disorder or substance misuse, is unable to mange without their help.

Each break will be worth up to the value of £50 and will cover something like a gym membership, a sports activity, complementary therapy, hair and beauty appointment, or, if circumstances allow, a day out. 

The scheme is being hosted by Carer Support Wiltshire and is being financially supported by funding from Wiltshire Council and NHS Wiltshire.

Fiona Hunter, Communications Officer at Carer Support Wiltshire, said: “The method of ‘prescribing’ a carer a break aims to help ensure that carers in Wiltshire can take care of their own health in order to be able to carry on caring for their partner, child, parent, friend or neighbour.

“GPs are often the first person a carer will think of going to when they need help and if they are able to offer them a means of having a break it will also mean they will find out about the other free services and support that they can get from Carer Support Wiltshire.”

The breaks prescription scheme will run for one year and, depending on how successful it is, will be reviewed next year.

Paul Burstow, Minister of State for Care Services, recently gave a speech at the RCGP Carers Conference and said: “With the right help, information and support, carers can care better. They can stay healthy – physically and mentally.

“It’s the small things that can make a world of difference.”

Carer Support Wiltshire would encourage any carers who need some time out to go along to their local GP surgery and enquire about getting a prescribed break. They are also available to carers who are already known to Carer Support Wiltshire.

They can also find out more about it by contacting Leonie Jarvill, GP Liaison Worker at Carer Support Wiltshire, on 0800 181 4118 or leonie@carersinwiltshire.co.uk

Notes

For more information on the Carers Breaks Prescription Scheme please contact Leonie Jarvill (GP Liaison Worker) at Carer Support Wiltshire on 0800 181 4118 or email leonie@carersinwiltshire.co.uk

A carer is someone of any age who provides unpaid support to family or friends who could not manage without this help. This could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse issues.

In the 2001 census it showed that there were 39,886 carers who provide unpaid care in Wiltshire.

Carer Support Wiltshire is a registered charity that offers support, information, advice and break opportunities to people looking after family members and friends across Wiltshire.

Carers Week takes place from 18-24 June. The theme this year is ‘In Sickness and in Health’. It is one of the UK’s largest awareness weeks and is about recognising and celebrating the contribution made by unpaid carers to the people they care for and their communities.