Carers Survey 2015/2016 Priority Setting

Welcome to Hafal's Carers Survey

Thank you for participating in our survey. Your feedback is important to us. We recently held a number of consultation days where carers developed a list of their top issues or concerns e.g things that are currently important to carers. We would like to invite all Carers of people with a mental illness, who live in Wales, to complete this survey and have a say in changing mental health services for the better.

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* 1. Are you a Carer of someone with mental illness?

Yes

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* 2. What is your name (optional)

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* 3. How old are you?

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* 4. What region of Wales do you live in?

Anglesey

Cardiff

Carmarthenshire

Mid-Wales

North Wales Boarders

North Wales Coast

Pembrokeshire

Snowdonia

South Wales Valleys

Swansea

Usk & Wye Valleys

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* 5. This question comes under the theme of Involvement of Carers and Families, being listened to, and issues around confidentiality. Please rank your top five issues or concerns in order of importance from the list below.

There needs to be a discussion between health and social care professionals when early warning signs are there for the cared for becoming unwell. The views and concerns of carers must be taken more seriously particularly when crisis signs are there.

A triangle of care needs to be established between the cared for, the carer and the professional at the beginning of treatment to establish how the person's care, support and treatment will be taken forward, roles, responsibilities and boundaries etc

There needs to be greater flexibility with arranging meetings and appointments, and provide more support in helping carers attend meetings and appointments.

Issues around consent and how information can be shared needs to be agreed at the beginning of treatment.

Wording in Codes of Practice, other guidance and legislation should always try to use a terminology that professionals 'must' work with carers, rather than using the term 'where necessary'.

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* 6. This question comes under the theme of Advice and Training on issues affecting carers needs. This advice and/or training can come from health and social carer professionals or from carers themselves.Please rank your top five issues or concerns in order of importance from the list below.

Health professionals need to receive regular, mandatory and on-going specific training relating to family/carers needs, and how better to engage carers and involve them etc.

Training for health professionals should emphasise the importance of care coordinators engaging more with families/carers to listen to their needs, and visiting the family home.

Staff in CMHT's and other professionals need increased understanding of the impact of the carers role, and need to have a good understanding of what other support services are available, including from the voluntary sector.

Carers need to receive training and information in the mental health system, about their rights, about discharge planning, etc. and should be involved in developing and delivering this training.

Professionals need more training on carers issues, and the important part of this should be talking to carers.

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* 7. This question comes under the theme Better Help and Support for Carers. Please rank your top five in order of importance from the list below.

There needs to be more specialist mental health advocates and mental health carers champions to act as the link between carers and support services and organisations.

There needs to be increased awareness of mental health carers issues within primary care services, particularly in GP surgeries.

There needs to be more whole family intervention services and family involvement around carers needs.

Carers need to be more involved in formal reviews aimed at mapping loved ones progress and prognosis.

There needs to be more anti-stigma campaigns (public) and training (organisations).

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* 8. This section covers Carers Rights. Please rank your top five issues or concerns in order of importance from the list below.

Carers need to have greater access to information about their rights. We don't know what our rights are!

Professionals are not always listening to what carers have to say ,and sometimes carers feel they are undermined.carers therefore carers need to be aware of exactly what their rights are in these circumstances.

We need to have dedicated advocates for carers.

We should explore ways to ensure meaningful and impartial carers assessments are properly carried out.

We should explore the option of how to achieve joint appointments with carer and the cared for so we can meet the professional together.

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* 9. This question comes under the theme of 'anything else' not discussed in the themes above.Please rank your top five issues or concerns in order of importance from the list below.

Some carers need talking therapies, as well as access to drop in clinics to receive advice, support, information and signposting.

Consider establishing an advice line for carers. There is a strong need for better support and advice, particularly around who to contact in a crisis.

There is a need for Carers Champions to be established.

Find ways to have better liaison with carers on discharge from in-patient care, assessment for suitable housing pre discharge etc.

There needs to be better primary care services for carers, including talking therapies, and better links between GP and social services.

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* 10. Please rank these top 10 issues or concerns (chosen by Carers at the involvement events) in order of how important they are to you in your caring role?

A triangle of care needs to be established between the cared for, the carer and the health/social care professional at the beginning of treatment to establish how the person's care, support and treatment is taken forward, roles, responsibilities etc.

Professionals are not always listening to the word of carers, and sometimes carers feel they are undermined. Carers therefore need to be aware of their rights.

Discussions between health and social care professionals and the carer about early warning signs should take place. The views and concerns of carers must be taken more seriously particularly when crisis signs are there.

There should be more specialist mental health advocates and mental health carers champions to act as the link between carers and support services and organisations.

Some carers need talking therapies, as well as access to drop in clinics for carers, to receive advice, support, information and signposting.

Consider establishing an advice line for carers. There is a strong need for better support and advice, particularly around who to contact in a crisis.

Carers need to have greater access to information about their rights, We don't know what our rights are!

Health professionals need to receive regular, mandatory and on-going specific training relating to family/carers needs, and how better to engage and involve, etc.

Training for health professionals should emphasis the importance of care coordinators engaging more with families/carers to listen to their needs, and visiting the family home.

There should be increased awareness of mental health carers issues within primary care services, particularly in GP surgeries.

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* 11. Please use this box to tell us about any other issue or concern that you have in your caring role that has not been mentioned in the questions above?

THANK YOU FOR TAKING PART IN OUR SURVEY.
Please contact Peter Martin if you would like more information about this survey: peter.martin@hafal.org