Carers Week: How GPs can help create carer-friendly communities

People across Essex are being asked to ‘Think Carer’ during this year’s Carers Week to help raise awareness of the needs of unpaid carers and build carer friendly communities.

Carers Week runs from 12-18 June and is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.

Essex County Council have started an online campaign highlighting how GP practices can help carers in their practice.

Simple things such as flagging they are a carer on their patient record, having a different GP to the person they care for and being flexible on appointments are shown to make a huge difference.

• Anyone who is looking for support and advice for themselves as a carer, or for a loved one can visit https://www.livingwellessex.org/looking-after-someone/