Information for Carers

 

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Are You a Carer?

If you are please let us know - we may be able to help you 

One in five households in the UK contains an unpaid carer – an older person caring for a partner or relative or a child caring for a disabled parent. Being a carer can have an impact on your own life, and it is important that you let your GP know. 

Brenchley & Horsmonden GPs may be able to offer support and information to you if you are an unpaid carer, as well as offer you free flu jabs. Find out how we can help.

 

Help at the surgery?

Evening appointments for carers.

It may be more convenient for you to attend an evening appointment to see the doctor – or to bring the person you care for to a later appointment. Extended hours appointments are available on Monday until 7.15pm at Horsmonden Surgery and on Wednesday until 7.00pm at Brenchley Surgery. Contact Reception to make an appointment. They are not available to book online.

 

Online medication ordering and appointments.

Use our online facility to order repeat medication online or to book appointments with the Doctor. Ask at Reception for details and to register for this service—you can do this for yourself and the person you care for.

 

Flu jabs.

Annual flu jabs are available free to carers in the autumn. Ask at Reception.

 

Sources of help.

If you are unsure about caring for someone or need assistance in finding out about services in the area please ask.

There is a wealth of information on the NHS website about carers and caring. Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.

 

image of a carer

 

image of a carer

Finance and Law

Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.

  • Benefits for carers: Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring role
  • Benefits for the under-65s: Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to.
  • Benefits for the over-65s: Advice and information on financial support for older people with a disability or illness.
  • Carer's Assessment: How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits
  • Other benefits: Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring
 

Contact Carers Direct

Telephone: 0808 802 0202

Website

Email: CarersDirect@nhschoices.nhs.uk

Office Hours: Lines are open 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm at weekends. Calls are free from UK landlines.

carers direct

 

kent young carers

Kent Young Carers

Kent Young Carers is the countywide service for Young Carers aged 5-18 across Kent.  Young Carers are taking on caring responsibilities for a family member with a long-term illness, disability, mental health or substance misuse issue.

KYC works with schools, communities, and statutory and voluntary agencies to identify hidden young carers. Following assessment, KYC offer a range of short-term interventions including signposting, one-to-one support, in school support and workshops.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT KYC

 

Who Are Young Carers? 

 

Useful Contacts

  • Tunbridge Wells Hospital: 01892 832535
  • Maidstone Hospital: 01622 729000
  • Hospital Transport: 0843 2 241 888. If you need help getting to the local hospitals for your healthcare appointment you may be eligible to use the NSL patient transport service. Call for information.
  • Benefits: For information on Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Credit, Attendance Allowance and other help or benefits to which you may be entitled visit the gov.uk website.
  • Paddock Wood Community Advice Centre: 01892 838619. A comprehensive advice service for those who live and work in Paddock Wood and surrounding areas.
  • Tunbridge Wells & District Citizens Advice Bureau: 01892 533880
  • Age UK Tunbridge Wells: 01892 522991. Offer a range of services for older people including day care services, advocacy, home bathing, and an independent living support service.
  • British Red Cross: 0800 0280 831. Information on health and social care. Short term loan of mobility aids available from 38 John Street, Tunbridge Wells.
  • Carers Trust: Information, advice and support for carers.
  • Young Carers Trust: Website and online support service for carers under 18.
  • Heath Pharmacy Horsmonden: 01892 722217
  • Paddock Wood Pharmacy: 01892 833203
  • Late night and Sunday pharmacies are available at Sainsbury’s Tunbridge Wells or Boots Tunbridge Wells.

Help In The Local Area?

Ready Call.

These local voluntary organisations may provide transport, care for housebound relatives, advise about support agencies, help with shopping or arranging special equipment.

  • Brenchley All Saints: Transport: 01892 723074. Other requests: 01892 722885 / 722434 / 723678
  • Matfield St Luke’s: 01892 822272
  • Horsmonden: 01892 723850 (organised by Horsmonden Physiotherapy Clinic)
  • Kent County Council: For information on Adult Social Services, Children’s Social Services, the Blue Badge scheme, information on caring for other people and much more contact KCC on 03000 41 41 41
  • Gateway Tunbridge Wells: All Council services can be accessed through Tunbridge Wells Gateway, 8 Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2AB. Call 01892 526121 
  • Community (District) Nurses: Are based at Woodlands Medical Centre in Paddock Wood. Telephone: 01892 832476
  • Carers First: A Kent & Medway based charity supporting adult and young carers in Kent. They provide emotional and practical support advice, information, guidance and access to statutory carers assessments, training, events, social groups, short breaks, activities, trips and more. Call: 0300 303 1555.