Carers Isle of Wight has teamed up with Isle of Wight NHS Trust to launch The Carers Passport scheme, the first of its kind on the island, to support unpaid carers to be recognised for the important role they play, caring for people who need that extra support.
The new passport scheme is designed to provide a range of useful benefits to our island’s unpaid carers, not only ensuring that unpaid carers are recognised, but to support them within the important caring role they provide. It will help to connect carers to local support and advice services along with accessing discounts and local concessions to make life a little easier.
Head of Patient Experience, Vanessa Flower, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Carers Isle of Wight to launch the new Carers Passport Scheme. Carers play a vital role in supporting our teams to provide continuity of care and support for people, particularly when they may need to be admitted to hospital.”
The passport will also help carers, when visiting St Mary’s Hospital, to visit the people they care for outside of visiting hours as well as enabling them to support with feeding and to be actively involved in meetings about the patient, with their consent, and be included in any discussions surrounding discharge planning.
Manager Carers Isle of Wight, Elizabeth Martin, said: “This is great news for carers. Our carers told us that having the passport makes it easier for them as a carer when they need to talk to health and social care professionals.”
Carers Isle of Wight and Isle of Wight NHS Trust are encouraging all carers on the island to apply for the passport, a temporary passport can be issued by the team based in the Carers Lounge, located at North Hospital, the ward or at main reception. The Carers IW Community team will also be holding a drop-in session every Thursday morning at the Carers Centre, Riverside, between 10.30am and midday from Thursday 26 October where carers can apply for a passport.
More information and can be provided by contacting Carers Isle of Wight: 01983 533173 or on their website www.carersiw.org.uk.
