Carer and community support

Carer Link Nurses/therapist

All ward staff are available to discuss any questions or concerns with carers, and to provide informal support. However, we also have Carer Link Nurses/therapists on the ward, whose role it is to be there to support carers, so as carers have someone they can talk with and to help them make sense of what may be a difficult situation.

The Carer Link Nurse/therapist will try to contact carers following your admission.  This may be in person or on the telephone depending on shift patterns or when carers visit.

They will help to identify and provide personal support to carers as needed. Due to the nature of shifts, they may not always be available when you contact the ward. However, you can leave a message with the ward staff and they will get back to you.

Alternatively, you can email the Oaktrees carers email: cwp.oaktrees.carersupport@nhs.net

On Oaktrees, we recognise the important role families and carers have in supporting the recovery of someone with an eating disorder. 

We also recognise that families and carers have support needs of their own. 

Therefore, we would like to invite you to our monthly support groups which aim to be a source of information and support as well as providing the opportunity to share your experiences with others who are also learning how to manage when someone they know has an eating disorder.

We deliver groups on various topics and also more informal groups, we also hold groups led by Occupational Therapy, Dietician and Psychology to give you a chance to meet other members of the team and the role they have on the ward.

The group is held on the first Thursday of each month between 18:15 and 19:15 (so you can be back on the ward for visiting).  It is held in the Springview conference room, but if you attend the ward first, staff will show you where to go.

We will write to you each month inviting you to come along but if you have any questions please feel free to email on:

cwp.oaktrees.carersupport@nhs.net

Carers are entitled to a carer’s assessment if they provide support to a family member or friend who would be unable to manage otherwise without this help.

The carer’s assessment is not a test of how well the carer is providing support to the person they are caring for, but to look at how their caring responsibilities impact on their own health and well-being, and their abilities to do the things they want to do in their day to day life. A carer’s assessment can be accessed through the Central Advice and Duty Team (‘CADT’) 

Online: www.wirral.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/adult-social-care/support-if-you-care-adult/carers-assessment
E-mail: wcnt.centraladviceanddutyteam@nhs.net
Telephone: 0151 514 2222 (option 3)

Under section 10 of the Care Act the right to assessment for a carer is triggered if it appears to the Local Authority that the carer might need support now or is likely to in the future. For more information please speak to ward staff.

GP
Some GP surgeries record the names of carers. This information helps them to make sure that carers receive information about the help and support that is available. Carers can contact their GP surgery if they would like to discuss this or for further information.

We are a support group for men and women aged 18+ who are affected with eating disorders of any kind. You do not have to be in treatment to come.

This group is part of the b-eat Self Help Network.

The group is run by two group facilitators, Helen Davies and Linda Davies.

The group has been running since September 2011. We have been vetted and follow strict guidelines re groups and their code of conduct, ethics and responsibilities.

However the main rule we follow is CONFIDENTIALITY.

What you share with us stays with us. We ask you to respect this as you may bump into another group member in the local high street! We receive regular training and supervision for our work. We run two separate groups one for family, friends and other loved ones this group runs on the second Thursday of the month from 7.00pm to 8.30pm. The other for recovery on the fourth Thursday of the month again 7.00pm till 8.30pm.

We have a book collection you can browse through as well as other pieces of literature available to take away. There is no admission charge. We ask kindly that: during group you switch your mobile phone off to avoid disturbance.

​​​​We are just ordinary people with first hand experience of eating disorders in one way or another. We want to offer our support to those whose lives are hit hard by this devastating illness. 

Address:
Cheshire Carers Centre
146 London Road
Northwich
Cheshire
CW9 5HH
Tel: Helen 0776 306 1307

http://www.cwest.me.uk/contact_CWEST.asp

You have recently had a loved one admitted to Oaktrees ward. As a team we are committed to making sure you feel supported and involved as much as possible in your loved ones care.

Support
we offer a monthly support group for carers called ‘branching out’ this is held on the first Thursday of every month from 18:15 till 19:15.  We can also offer individual support via phone or in person if required. If you feel you need more support please speak to a member of the team and we can arrange a meeting with our carer link to see what support we can offer.

Involvement 
we always appreciate the involvement of the carers in our patients treatment, this ensures a smooth transition from hospital back home.  To achieve this you are welcome to attend the ward round every week, please speak to staff about dates and times.  Also we appreciate any feedback regarding how you feel your loved one is doing on the ward or at home on leave.  You can also have a copy of your loved ones care plan with their consent.

What if my loved one doesn't want me involved?
if your loved one doesn't want us to share information with you or doesn't want you to attend the ward round we still  want you to feel involved and supported.  You are still able to provide your feedback about how you feel they are doing, via phone, in person or email.  This can be fed into the ward round so staff will be aware of ant difficulties your loved ones my be experiencing.  Unfortunately we are bound by laws of confidentiality so may be unable to give any information out regarding their care however we will aim to provide as much reassurance as we can and will revisit your loved ones consent to share information with you regularly. 

Kind regards

Carer Link

Our Patient Advice and Complaints Service (PACS) is an accessible, confidential, free service that supports people by listening to their views and concerns. It aims to resolve problems and concerns quickly before they become serious, negotiating solutions to concerns before they become complaints.

PACS staff liaise with and complement the work already being done by clinical staff such as doctors and nurses. It is an information point for service users, carers and families about local health services, voluntary organisations and support groups. It is also a gateway to the complaints procedure and specialist independent advocacy services.

Contact our PACS:

To provide feedback or raise a concern about any of our services then please contact the Patient Advice and Complaints Service (PACS) by: 

Tel. 0800 195 4462 (open 10am - 3pm)
Email. cwp.pacs@nhs.net 

To learn more about our PACS service please visit the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust website.