Information for carers, families and friends

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1 Information for carers, families and friends Information

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3 Information for carers, friends and families Welcome to this leaflet for carers, families and friends of people with mental health problems. Who is a carer? A carer can be someone who looks after a partner, relative or friend, whether or not they live in the same place. They may give practical or emotional support. Not everyone thinks of themselves as a carer but they may well be and may be able to get financial or practical help. Contact details for the different organisations mentioned throughout this leaflet can be found on page 9. How we work with carers Supporting someone with a mental health problem can be rewarding, but it can also be difficult and sometimes lonely. Having good information at the right time and knowing where to get help and support can make all the difference. We have produced this leaflet to give you information about our services, suggest where you can get more help and information, tell you what your rights as a carer are and answer some of the questions you may have. As a Trust we are committed to informing, involving and supporting carers, family members and friends as partners in the care of people using our services. We are Gold Star members of the Carers Trust s Information for carers, families and friends 3

4 Triangle of Care membership scheme that promotes shared working between carers, professionals and people using services. Every person who uses our services will have an assessment of their mental health needs and a care plan that will lay out how those needs can be met. We do our best to keep carers, family members and friends informed and involved. There will always be a named care co-ordinator or other professional who supports the person using our services to achieve their care plan goals, and who you can talk to. Sometimes we are bound by confidentiality and service user wishes and cannot share certain information with you. In these situations we will explain this to you. We can still listen to you and provide you with information and support in your own right. The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and the Royal College of Psychiatrists provide a useful leaflet for carers on confidentiality in mental health. You should also think about any questions you might have before a meeting. The Royal College of Psychiatrists provides a leaflet on questions carers might want to ask psychiatrists. 4

5 The Mental Health Act The Mental Health Act is the law that allows for the compulsory admission and treatment in hospital of a person who has mental health problems. The admission of someone to hospital against their wishes is only allowed for their own health or safety or to protect other people. There is also a formal legal process to be followed. If you are considered the nearest relative of the person you care for, you have certain rights under the Act. There is a clear legal definition of nearest relative and not all carers are covered by it. As the nearest relative, if you feel your relative needs hospital care but they are unwilling to seek it, you can: ask for an approved mental health professional (AMHP) to assess whether your relative needs compulsory admission apply yourself for your relative to be compulsorily admitted. If an AMHP applies for your relative to be compulsorily admitted to hospital for treatment (for instance, under Section 3 of the Act) you have the right to: be consulted before the person is admitted object to the person being detained. Information for carers, families and friends 5

6 Once your relative is detained under the Act, as the nearest relative, you have the right to: be informed of a review of your relative s detention obtain your relative s discharge from hospital, provided there are no special restrictions or Court order be told when your relative is about to be discharged and to be involved in planning aftercare, provided your relative agrees to be consulted if a doctor applies for formal supervision of your relative when they are discharged. You can find out more about the Mental Health Act in our leaflet reference SWLCORE275. Having your needs as a carer assessed Carers have the right to have their own needs assessed under the Care Act This is called a Carer s Assessment and is a legal duty upon the local authority. The assessment looks at your needs to see what services could be provided to help you. The assessment will look at how caring affects your emotional and physical health, finances, work and relationships. The assessment is your opportunity to sit down and explain what would make caring easier for you and what your own needs are. Services you may be offered include support to give you a break, emotional support, help with household tasks and help to get back to work or education. 6

7 You can choose to have your needs assessed either jointly with the person you care for or separately. You can ask for an assessment even if the person you care for is refusing services. If you want to have a Carer s Assessments, talk to a member of Trust staff or your local Carers Centre about how to organise one. Benefits and allowances for carers As a carer you may be entitled to certain benefits, listed below, depending on your individual circumstances. Carers allowance This is the main benefit for carers that are caring a minimum of 35 hours a week. This is subject to certain conditions. Carer premium/addition The carer premium is an extra payment that could increase other benefits, like income support, income related employment and support allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit. Income support This is extra money to help carers on a low income. Pension credit This is a benefit for people who are of, or over, the qualifying pension age and on a low income. Employment and support allowance (ESA) This is for people whose ability to work is limited by ill health or disability. Tax credits Child tax credit and working tax credit are paid to top up workers/ families on a low income. Information for carers, families and friends 7

8 However, you should be aware that any benefits you are entitled to might affect your pension, so you should take advice. For further information and advice regarding benefits, visit: The Benefit Enquiry Line Carers UK Advice Line Citizens Advice Bureau

9 Useful contacts Sutton Carers Centre Carers Support Merton Richmond Carers Centre Kingston Carers Network Wandsworth Carers Centre Information for carers, families and friends 9

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11 Contacting the Trust Trust Headquarters, Springfield University Hospital Building 15, 2nd Floor, South West London and St George s Mental Health NHS Trust, Springfield University Hospital, 61 Glenburnie Road, London SW17 7DJ In an emergency (for existing patients of the Trust) Mental Health Support Line: (5pm to 9am Monday to Friday, 24 hours Saturday and Sunday). Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) You can call our dedicated Patient Experience team and talk to someone about the service you, or the person you care for, has received (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) Disclaimer We make every effort to ensure that the information we provide is accurate and up to date but it should not be relied upon as a substitute for specialist professional advice tailored to your situation. So far as is permitted by law, South West London and St George s Mental Health NHS Trust does not accept liability in relation to the use of any information contained in this publication, or third-party information or websites included or referred to in it. Information for carers, families and friends 11

12 We are the leading provider of mental health services across south west London and a beacon of excellence for national mental health specialist services. Help us make our services even better The views of patients, their carers, friends and families are at the heart of improving the way we deliver our services. We are committed to delivering high quality care. Your feedback will help us understand what we do well and what we can do better. If you would like to give us feedback please contact: Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS): Feedback online at: Patient Opinion: Become a member: To find out about becoming a member membership@swlstg-tr.nhs.uk Information for carers, families and friends Our values If you require this document in an alternative format please call: South West London and St George s Mental Health NHS Trust Springfield University Hospital, 61 Glenburnie Road, London SW17 7DJ Telephone: Website: Copyright 2016 South West London and St George s Mental Health NHS Trust Published and distributed by: Communications Department Published: March 2016 Review date: March 2018 Ref: SWLCORE073 All information correct at time of printing