How can I find out about consent?
The Department of Health has produced two
guides on consenting to treatment for people who are unable to
decide for themselves. One is called;
'Consent - what you have a right to expect - a
guide for relatives and carers'
and the other is;
'Seeking consent - working with people with
learning disabilities'.
Both leaflets provide important information
about understanding and agreeing to treatment. Ask a member of
staff for a copy of the leaflets, or ask them to obtain copies from
the Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS).
How do I know what my responsibilities are while the person I
care for is in hospital?
A high percentage of carers feel compelled to
stay with the person they support to comfort and reassure them but
also to ensure their safety and their needs are understood and met.
Many carers feel that there is a lack of awareness amongst staff of
the condition of the person they care for and that time pressures
mean that staff do not attempt to communicate with the patients
properly, resulting in inadequate care, particularly with regards
to food, mobility and toileting arrangements.
If you want to use the time while the person
you care for is in hospital as respite from caring, you should feel
confident that the staff have all the relevant information about
the person you care for to care for them effectively. If the
patient is unable to communicate for themselves, the staff will
consult the 'Information about me' folder which will accompany the
patient's care plan.
If you wish to participate in the care of the
person you are caring for while they are in hospital, make clear
what it is you wish to do and make sure it is recorded in the care
plan. If you are happy to take an active part in the care, you can
help with day-to-day care such as washing, shaving or help with
meals. Staff on the wards are extremely busy and are generally very
grateful for any assistance of this type.
If you are happy to administer treatment and
care, such as changing dressings or wound care, ask a nurse to give
you full instructions and a demonstration so that you are confident
in doing it yourself. This also applies to aftercare necessary
after the person you are caring for is discharged home.
If you are providing care, you are entitled
to:
- free tea and coffee,
- meals from the trolley ,
- a free car parking permit.
If these are not offered speak to one of the
nurses or to PALS.
Will I be able to stay overnight?
There are very limited full facilities for
carers to stay overnight in the hospital. The ward staff do have
details of these.
If it is not possible for you to use one of
these rooms, you should be offered an easy chair and blankets and
pillows to make you as comfortable as possible in the ward area.
Speak to the nurse in charge of the ward if you wish to stay on the
ward overnight.
Alternatively there are full facilities
available very close to the hospital at a charge of £20 a night.
Contact 0118 975 7888 and explain that you are a relative or carer
of a patient at the Royal Berkshire Hospital and quote ‘PALS’.
Leaving hospital
Will I be consulted before the person I care
for is either moved to another ward or hospital, or discharged
home?
You will not necessarily be consulted over
change of wards although you should be informed as early as
possible. You should, however, be consulted well in advance of any
proposed change of hospital or discharge, and you should be
involved in the assessment for this.
What if I feel I could not cope if the person I care for comes
back home?
Before the person you care for is discharged
from hospital, there will be an assessment of their needs and
sometimes a home visit to see how they cope with everyday
tasks.
You can ask your local council's Community
Care Services for an assessment of your own needs as a carer if you
are providing or intend/expect to provide a substantial amount of
care on a regular basis.
What should I expect to be given upon discharge?
A patient may be discharged with medication,
prescriptions or a copy of a letter for the doctor. It is a good
idea to check with the nurse if any of these things are needed
before the person you care for leaves the ward.
Useful contacts
Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS)
0118 322 8338