Do you look after someone?
Are you a Carer?
“A Carer is someone who provides unpaid help and support to a relative, friend, or neighbour who could not manage on their own due to illness, disability, frailty, physical impairment, mental ill health or substance misuse.”
Does this sound like you? If so, you are a Unpaid Carer. We are interested in identifying Carers, especially those people who may be caring without help or support. We know that Carers are often “hidden” looking after a family member or helping a friend or neighbour with day to day tasks and may not see themselves as a Carer.
We feel that caring for someone is an important and valuable role in the community, which is often a 24-hour job that can be very demanding and isolating for the Carer. We further believe Carers should receive appropriate support by way of access to accurate information on a range of topics such as entitlement to benefits and respite care and not least, a listening ear when things get too much.
Why Unpaid Carers are vital?
Unpaid Carers provide around 96% of the Care in the community and save the NHS in Wales over £8.1 billion each year. Amman Tawe Partnership recognises that Carers contribute a significant saving to the NHS by looking after relatives, neighbours or friends who might otherwise have to go into long term care. Young Carers, under the age of 18 may be particularly vulnerable due to their inexperience and lack of life-skills. Young Adult Carers, between the age of 18-25, can be the most hidden group of Carers in our society. Therefore we are committed to providing appropriate support and consideration to our patients who are Carers whatever their age.
Registering as a Carer - Benefits
If you are a Carer, please let us know. You are now able to order medication online on behalf of the person you care for.
To register, please complete our registration form and return to the surgery.
MHOL Registration Form For Carers & Patients - click here 
To register with Camarathenshire - Click Here
Why should you register as a Carer with your GP surgery?
Registering as a Carer may help your health care team to:
- understand your caring responsibilities.
- signpost you to information, help and support, either now or in the future.
- share information about the person you care for (with appropriate written
- consent).
- may provide more flexible appointments that reflect your caring role.
- offer you an annual flu jab (free).
- refer you to other services or organisations that might be able to help you.
Astra Lane - Carers Lead Helen Davies - Alzheimer's & Dementia Lead
Our Carer Leads are dedicated members of staff to help with Carer-related enquires. You can ask to speak to her by telephone or make an appointment for a chat in the surgery, the Carer Lead has lots of information to share with you which may help. We look forward to hearing from you.
What is a Carer's Needs Assessment?
As a Carer, you are entitled to have a Carers Needs Assessment by Social Services. It is a chance to talk about your needs as a Carer and the possible ways help could be given. It also looks at the needs of the person you care for. This could be done separately, or together, depending on the situation. There is no charge for an assessment. Every Carer is entitled to an assessment; however it is not an assessment of your ability to provide care. When you register with us as a Carer, the practice will offer you the chance of a referral.
Additional information and support
We have a dedicated Carers notice board
We have a dedicated Carers notice board in the waiting room with a lot of information and news of local events information can also be found at:
Wales/UK
Other Links:
Carers Wales Veterans Guide in Welsh
Carers Wales Veterans Guide in English
Carers Newsletter - Click Here
Age Cymru MMIYP - Click Here
- Caring for a parent
Watch this video on: caring for a parent at home
- Telling people
Caring responsibilities can make it difficult to maintain friendships or develop new ones. Telling your friends you're a carer is important so they understand and can support you.
- Taking a break
Caring for someone can be a full-time job, but it's essential that you take time out for yourself too. Read our guide to accessing breaks and respite.
- Housing and carers
Do you know your tenancy rights as a carer? Are you aware of all your care at home options? Do you need tips on moving someone around the home?
Finance and Law
Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.
- Benefits for carers
Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring role
- Benefits for the person you care for
Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to
- Death and benefits
How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits
- Managing someone's legal affairs
Advice for when carers find they have to take over the legal affairs of the person they are looking after
- Other benefits
Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring
- Personal and household finance
Advice on keeping a tight rein on household and personal finance for carers
- Social fund
- Tax credits
Information on claiming tax credits and whether you might be eligible