Carers Week 2024

This year's Carers Week theme is 'Putting Carers on the Map,' aiming to increase the visibility of unpaid carers and the invaluable support they provide.

On Tuesday 21 May, our Chief Executive, Sue Jacques, proudly signed the Working Carers' Charter, demonstrating the Trust's ongoing commitment to identifying and supporting working carers employed by CDDFT.

We're also excited to introduce the Working Carers' Passport! This tool (not to be confused with the Patient Carers' Passport) is designed to facilitate conversations between managers and their team members, helping to identify and support those who are working carers.

Our new carers hospital discharge team will be working with ward staff and other health professionals to offer you the best support possible when the person you care for is being discharged from hospital.

They are on hand to discuss finances - as many benefits can be affected by a hospital stay.  We understand that having someone in hospital is overwhelming and you may need someone to talk to.

You may have lots of questions too. We can be your link in the hospital and then for those first few days or weeks be around to advise and signpost carers to the relevant services.

We want carers to be informed and involved, not overwhelmed and confused.

Gill, Helen and Jan started work at the University Hospital of North Durham in November 2023 and they can be contacted via our main telephone number 0300 005 1213 or by emailing admin@dccarers.org.

They are also available on site at the hospital on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. (Please call our main telephone number 0300 005 1213 to reach us). If required, Out of Hours appointments are available.

Ruth Sykes started in January 2024 and will be around to support carers in Darlington Memorial Hospital, Bishop Auckland, Sedgefield, and Richardson. Please contact Ruth on 0300 030 1215.