New booklets for carers in hospitals

NCPC has produced two new guides for carers in acute hospitals. The first guide, Caring For Carers, is for staff and the second, Caring To The End, is aimed at carers themselves. They have been produced as part of a project funded by NHS Improving Quality.

Caring for carers:

How to involve and support the family and friends of patients who are approaching the end of their lives in hospital

The death of a family member or friend is a momentous event, and carers, as well as patients, need to be treated with compassion at this critical time. Carers have much to give the dying patient, and much to offer to the professional team. When they are fully included and offered the chance to stay involved, the care provided by acute hospitals to people who are dying can be greatly enhanced, and the experiences of the person who is dying, their family and friends and the hospital staff can all be improved.

This booklet will help any member of staff working in a hospital to enhance the end of life care they give, by more compassionately supporting and involving carers. It is quick to read and packed with practical guidance – a must anyone who works in a hospital.

Caring to the end:

Help and support for carers when a partner, relative or friend goes into hospital, and may be approaching the end of their life.

This guide will help anyone supporting an adult patient – a relative, partner, friend or neighbour – who has been admitted to hospital and who may not have long to live. They may have been looking after the patient for a long time, but also may have become a carer overnight when their family member or friend is suddenly admitted to hospital.

This short, user-friendly guide will help carers to access support and understand how they may be able to be involved in decision making and care, if they would like to.

Both booklets are available to buy for £2.50 each (or £1.25 each if you are an NCPC subscriber). Click here to order your copies.

They are also available to download from our online library here (username and password required).

NCPC subscribers will receive a copy of each booklet in early March.