Support for carers
There are several organisations that provide support for carers. You can contact them yourself, without speaking to a GP first.
Action for Carers Surrey
This organisation provides advice, information and support. It serves all carers in Surrey, and professionals who work with carers.
The service is free.
What is a carer?
If you are looking after someone, or helping to look after them, and they couldn’t manage without your support, then you are a carer.
The person you help could be:
- your husband, wife, civil partner or partner
- your child (if they have a disability or long-term illness)
- your parent
- a person who lives in your household (not tenants, lodgers or employees)
- a person who relies on you, such as an elderly neighbour.
Register as a carer
If you are a carer, please complete our Carer Registration form and return it to us at the surgery. Doing so will help us to:
- support you with any physical or mental health issues you may have
- refer you to other local services
- assess whether you are eligible for the GP Carers Break Scheme. Also known as the Personal Health Budget, this is worth up to £300. You can use it to take a break from caring, or to help your general wellbeing.
Please note you need to be registered as a patient with the surgery before you complete this form.
Crossroads Care Surrey
A charity which specialises in providing respite breaks for unpaid carers. They also provide emergency care planning services. This can help you plan for those times when you cannot be there for the person you care for.
The service is free.
Surrey County Council
Surrey Council provides a wide range of services and information for carers including help on looking after yourself as well as the person you care for. They also have a Carers Assessment Form. This is not an assessment of you as a carer. By completing the form, it can help them create a support plan for you to get extra help.
Other organisations that could help you
There are a number of other NHS services and charity groups that work in our area.