Developing Carers Registers Project
Pilot to run for 6 weeks from 3rd / 4th week September to 30th October / 7th November
Pilot Aim:
To update existing carers register and trial carer identification through targeted mail outs to condition specific groups.
Objectives:]
- Identify the following target groups from EMIS, patients with: dementia, stroke, learning difficulties, neurological conditions e.e MS, COPD, degenerative diseases e.g. Parkinson’s / Huntingdon’s, drug and alcohol misuse, physical and sensory impairment, significant mental health problems
- Send mail out to targeted groups and record response
- Telephone calls to all carers currently on practice register to:
- check they are still caring,
- confirm they have the information they need
- inform them about sharing of medical details of cared for person
Record responses.
- Record any problems / issues relating to completing the above objectives and the results they produce.
Suggested Schedule of Tasks:
Pre Pilot commencement
Practice agrees which carer identification and carer consent forms it wants to use which letters it will use. Identifies staff member to do extra paid 5 hours per week for 6 weeks
Week 1/2Agree with practice patient group(s) to be targeted e.g. neuro, chs etc; prepare and send letters possibly two versions of a letter; monitor who receives which letter and which receives most effective response; if e-mail a way of communicating consider using this unless confidentiality / security issue. Ask for response by letter, email or phone call by an agreed date. Send identification form with letter to carer.
Week 3/4Review refresh and update the existing register with telephone calls to carers currently on register; check if still carer and if yes offer Practice Carers Pack.
(DC/MH to ensure pilot practices have a Practice Carers Pack that can be used)
Possible script
We’re updating the Practice Register of carers ie people looking after someone sick disabled elderly, just wanting to check if you still a carer?
If yes, advise re flu vacs; ask if carer knows how to access information to help with caring role; would they like a Practice Carers Pack, if yes send.
Do they have any problems getting information about the health etc of person cared for? Has person cared for and carer signed consent to share information forms, if not offer to send.
Week 5Follow up to mailing with phone call; again flu jab information, offer carer pack, do you know where to get information about help for self and person cared for; if not registered or not sent identification form back offer registration on phone and offer consent forms for completion.
Week 6Finish off mailout follow up and any o/s calls to be made; prepare evaluative information.
Important to keep a log of every contact made, letter e-mail phone call and brief description of content.
Evaluation issues
What increase in numbers of carers on register? How many removed in clean up of register and how many added?
How has this method of register update refresh worked? What has worked well what has not worked well? How might this have worked more effectively?
How could this way of working be fitted into existing practice systems to keep register alive?
What problems challenges have been encountered and what solutions are needed / have been used?
How many carers have required / been given information how many did not want information?