The Trust has listened to feedback about the way carers looking after people are treated within our hospitals. We know that to provide the best possible outcomes for our patients, we need to Keep Carers Caring.
As part of our approach to Keep Carers Caring, we are proud to announce that we are supporters of John’s Campaign.
John’s Campaign recognises the valuable role carers have in the reassurance and dignity of people living with dementia. We see their presence here is in response to their needs, and not restricted to visiting hours.
Following discussions with local care agencies, relatives, carers and staff across the trust, we have adopted the principles of John’s campaign and expanded the criteria to people admitted into hospital who have a physical disability, cognitive impairment, long term condition, learning disability, mental health issue or people who are frail.
We have been working with Healthwatch Kirklees and other local organisations to introduce lanyards to help identify those providing a caring role.
We want carers to feel seen, heard and supported across our hospitals and within the community.
To help make life a little bit easier, we now offer those with a lanyard free car parking at our hospital sites when bringing a loved one to an appointment or visiting them on our wards. They simply need to present the lanyard to the staff on the main reception desk, who will validate their parking ticket.
Within our hospitals we welcome carers outside of usual visiting times and they have the right to stay throughout the day or night on our wards. Carers can also receive free meals whilst they are looking after someone in one of our hospitals.
David Britton, Associate Director of Nursing – Medicine, is our John’s Campaign Ambassador. He said:
“I have listened to some of our carers’ experiences, particularly due to not getting things right for them and their loved one. I put myself in their world and truly understand the detrimental impact this has on them and their loved one. I am going to use my voice and my role to change this for the better and to ensure that we work in partnership with our carers.”
For more information. please read the Trust's Keep Carers Caring leaflet. We also have an audio version here.
