The Royal College of Psychiatrists and The Princess Royal
Trust for Carers have joined together to mount a year-long
campaign
The campaign is designed to:
- highlight the problems faced by carers of all ages of people
with different mental health problems and learning
disabilities
- encourage true partnerships between carers, patients and
professionals
'Partners in Care' was launched in January 2004 by Her Royal
Highness, the Princess Royal
“Carers are an integral part of the patient’s support
system…They are the ones with the day-to-day experience of the
patient’s condition, and they carry the most intimate
responsibility for the patient’s welfare…The carer’s voice in
decision making about admission and discharge is ignored at
everyone’s peril – and yet so often is.”
Dr. Mike Shooter, President, Royal College of
Psychiatrists
“This is an important opportunity for professionals, carers
and patients to work together. The Partners in Care campaign will
help to develop a dialogue on vital issues that affect the mental
health and well-being of some of the most vulnerable people in
Britain. We hope that the campaign will leave a legacy of better
mutual understanding and improved care.”
Peter Tihanyi, Director, Princess Royal Trust for
Carers
The Princess Royal speaking at the
Campaign Launch
|
Dr Mike
Shooter speaking at the
Campaign Launch
|
The campaign emphasises that:
- carers play a vital role in looking after, and promoting the
well-being of, people with mental health problems – carers’
responsibilities need greater recognition
- carers themselves can suffer from mental health problems, often
because of lack of support
- specialist help is available for carers of someone with a
mental health problem
'Partners in Care' plans a number of campaign activities,
including:
- Booklet on
Confidentiality
- trust is vital to good care. Confidentiality issues between
patients and professionals; carers and patients; and carers and
professionals will be explored, and recommendations made for good
practice
Research among carers
- at the launch of the campaign, The Princess Royal Trust for
Carers will release the results of a major survey of the health of
carers themselves. 1200 carers have been surveyed over a ten-month
period. The findings will reveal, among other things, the effects
the caring role has on carers’ own health, particularly their
mental health.
- Checklists for carers, patients and
professionals
- it is important for carers and patients to know what questions
to ask, and for professionals to ensure that patients and carers
are fully informed. These checklists will form a simple prompt for
all ‘partners in care’
Leaflets on mental health
problems
- leaflets will be prepared on different types of mental health
problems, designed to help carers understand, and cope with, the
difficulties faced by those they are looking after. The leaflets
will cover dementia, depression, psychosis, learning difficulties,
substance misuse, eating disorders and postnatal depression
Training video and CD-ROM
- ‘being seen and heard’ is a training film designed for use by
staff involved in the care of parents with mental illness and their
children. It is a moving and challenging film which focuses on the
difficulties facing young people who have to care for a family
member, as well as solutions to help them through this critical
time.
Training of professionals
- the Royal College of Psychiatrists will prepare a Code of
Conduct for professionals on issues relating to carers. The college
will also involve carers in psychiatrists’ basic training, and will
‘train the trainers’ for a roadshow that will run study days for
professionals involved in mental health services across the
country
Media programme
- the more media coverage on carers’ issues, the more public and
professional interest will be generated around the campaign.
Partners in Care will run a lively media programme designed to
interest the press, radio and TV, including case histories, news
and feature releases, placed articles and interviews with carers,
patients and professionals
Christmas debate for young people
- the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ popular annual debate for
school students will focus this year on young carers and the
challenges they face
Carers’ Week
- this annual awareness week is run by The Princess Royal Trust
for Carers with Carers UK and Crossroads – Caring for Carers and
aims to highlight issues carers face. In 2004, the theme for the
week will be health and during this well-know annual event, The
Princess Royal Trust for Carers will feature its Partners in Care
campaign.
If you are interested in receiving further information about
Partners in Care, or would like to become involved in the campaign,
please contact: