Trust celebrates Carers Week showcasing the impact of the Carer Passport
During National Carers Week (9–15 June), Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is proud to highlight the positive impact of the Carer Passport initiative, launched in June 2024 to enhance the experience of carers supporting inpatients across its hospitals.
In just six months, up to 600 Carer Passports have been issued across inpatient wards, empowering carers to play a more active and supportive role in their loved one’s care.
A carer is anyone who looks after a family member, partner, or friend who needs help due to illness, frailty, or disability and cannot manage without their support. The Trust recognises the vital role carers play and is committed to involving them in care planning and decision-making—with the patient’s agreement.
The Carer Passport enables carers to:
- Visit outside of normal visiting hours
- Assist with personal care, meals, and hydration
- Participate in care planning and discharge discussions
- Attend meetings about their loved one’s care
- Access reduced car parking fees
June, carer for husband Ian, said: “I would be lost without the Carer Passport. Not only does it mean Ian’s stress levels are reduced as he knows I’m coming in each day, but it also enables me to be part of the decision making and general conversations when the therapists are having consultations. It also means we can still have a bit of our normal routine of having lunch and dinner together, enjoying a coffee and reading the paper and doing crosswords. I’d really encourage any other spouse or loved one to use it.”
Alan, proudly wearing his Carer Passport
Alan, carer for wife Carol who recently had a stroke, said: “The Carer Passport is so good because I know I can visit for extended periods of time and the staff all know me and the times I’ll be visiting. It’s enabled me to be trained on equipment to support Carol and it means I can be there when decisions are being made about Carol’s care as well as getting involved with her daily classes, appointments and consultations.”
Carol added, “I would recommend every person who cares for someone to ask about the Carer Passport. It has made all the difference to me.”
Jenny Ricketts, Chief Nurse at the Trust said: “We want carers to feel welcomed, informed, and supported throughout their loved one’s hospital journey. The Carer Passport is a simple but powerful tool that helps us recognise and value the essential role carers play and improves the experience for our patients. I would encourage all carers to speak with the nurse in charge on their loved one’s ward to apply for a Carer Passport.”
More information is available in the Carer Passport patient information leaflet.