Helen Donnellan, RE:Search South-West, University of Plymouth

ParticipantsMethodToolRespondents T1 Sept 08 T2 March 09 Surgery StaffQuantitative / Qualitative Interviews: Semi-structured questionnaire 20 inc. 3 GPs 18 inc. 3 GPs CarersQuantitativePostal Questionnaire Pack: General Health Questionnaire Carers’ Strain Index Monitoring Form Satisfaction Survey (T2 only) 97 (24%) 211 (27%) CarersQualitativeFocus Groups x 9: Topic guide 32 (33%) 42 (20%) GP Carers’ Project Evaluation Data Collections

GP Carers’ Project Evaluation The Projects & Registrations ServiceHealth Check A&SW OnlyOcc. HealthCounsellingNone List size Increase 300%392%107%77%74%26% Potential 24%39%42%32%90%35%

GP Carers’ Project Evaluation The Questionnaire Responses - GHQ28 All Participants(%)

“Well, if you have to ask, [for a carer check up] it feels as though you have to show that you can’t cope and that to me is really going against the grain. I’d feel I’m failing …..but to be invited to come, well yes, actually that would be good. If I was invited, I’d come.” [Carer from the follow-up focus groups] The Impact Personal Professional Organisational GP Carers’ Project Evaluation Advice & Support Workers

“What you really want is one person at the surgery you can ring up and say, look I’ve got this problem and can I speak to you for a moment “ - A focus group participant The Impact: Personal Enhanced motivation and enthusiasm in developing responsibilities and promoting carer links & services Opportunity to lead an area within the team Development of expertise and in-depth local knowledge across the health / social care sectors Clinical supervision essential to support the role in whatever mode it is delivered GP Carers’ Project Evaluation Advice and Support Workers

GP Carers’ Project Evaluation “So I did think if I feel myself getting in the depths of gloom again, I will ring her up and I think she’s kind of more approachable than the doctor” – A carer The Impact: Professional Different backgrounds of staff defined a range of approaches to the role A face-to-face listener for direct contact, ‘bridging the gap’ between carer and GP Flexibility in contact arrangements, including home visits A local information ‘hub’, co-ordinating the right information at the right time Advice and Support Workers

GP Carers’ Project Evaluation “ I think GPs should be able to recognise that you know, if somebody comes to see them that this one is a carer and ask how you are and well, even if I just say I’m fine and I’m managing OK, it just shows that someone is thinking about you and accepting the big burden that you’re carrying” - [Carer at the start of the project] The Impact: Organisational A more holistic approach with a ‘broader support and social focus’ Systems development, eg. read coded links for carer and cared for Inclusion of carers’ issues on core group and practice meeting agendas Access to a range of services through a ‘local information bank’ Improved communication between carers and surgery A surgery-based ‘champion’ reminding all staff to ‘think carer’ Advice & Support Workers

GP Carers’ Project Evaluation Contact details: Helen Donnellan, Researcher/Project Manager Room 207, 9 Portland Villas School of Applied Psychosocial Sciences Faculty of Health University of Plymouth, PL4 8AA Tel: