Today, Thursday 20 November, is a reminder to all carers to check their working rights. This year explores the theme ‘Know your rights, use your rights’.
A carer is anyone who looks after a family member, partner, friend, neighbour or someone who needs help because of an illness, frailty, disability, mental health problem or addiction, and who cannot cope without support. Carers can be any age, including children.
Working rights can change, and it’s important that carers are kept up to date and are aware of the financial and health support available.
The right to ask your GP Practice to identify you as a carer
It’s important to tell you GP that you are a carer, and your responsibilities, as they may be able to provide you with useful support, advice and information. Your GP may be able to refer you to local support services and help you understand health entitlements as a carer such as a free flu jab.
Being consulted when the person you care for is discharged from the hospital
If you are a carer and the person you care for is being discharged from hospital, the hospital will want to consult with you.
Carers UK has produced handy factsheets for carers in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales (including a Welsh language version) which explain your rights and what you can expect. It’s helpful to understand your carer's rights when someone close to you has been in hospital.
The Frimley Health and Care website has a ‘Support for carers’ page that has useful information about:
registering as a career
local publicly funded carer support services
further information and support links
This Carers Rights Day, make sure you know your rights, and use your rights.
