Support for carers
Find out how carers can get support and the organisations who can help without seeing a GP
What is a carer?
If you are looking after someone, or helping to look after them, and they couldn’t manage without your support, then you are a carer.
The person you help could be:
- your husband, wife, civil partner or partner
- your child (if they have a disability or long-term illness)
- your parent
- a person who lives in your household (not tenants, lodgers or employees)
- a person who relies on you, such as an elderly neighbour.
Finding out what support you can get
If you are a carer it is important that you complete two forms as soon as possible to find out what support you can get. These are not to assess your ability as a carer.
GP Carer Registration Form
Please complete our Carer Registration form and return it to us at the surgery. Doing so will help us to:
- support you with any physical or mental health issues you may have
- refer you to other local services
- assess whether you are eligible for the GP Carers Break Scheme. Also known as the Personal Health Budget, this is worth up to £300. You can use it to take a break from caring, or to help your general wellbeing.
Please note you need to be registered as a patient with the surgery before you complete this form.
Action for Carers Surrey
This organisation provides free independent advice and information - practical, financial and emotional - to support all Surrey carers of all ages and professionals who work with carers.
The service is free.
Phone: 0303 040 1234
Crossroads Care Surrey
A charity which specialises in providing respite breaks for unpaid carers so they can get some all-important downtime.
Patients can self-refer for support by contacting Crossroads Care Surrey.
The service is free.
Phone: 01372 869970
Email: enquiries@crosscroadscaresurrey.org.uk
Surrey Council social care needs assessment
This form is for adult carers who look after someone 18 years of age or older. By completing the form, it can help the council create a support plan for you to get extra help.
If you look after someone under 18 please see the Family and Parent Carer Support pages on the council’s website. If you are under 18 and caring for someone please visit the Support for Young Carers section.
If you need help completing the form, one these specialist organisations might be able to help. They can also provide further practical and emotional support and advice. You do not need to be referred by your GP to speak to them.
Other organisations that could help you
There are a number of other NHS services and charity groups that work in our area.
- Surrey Young Carers
- Information and advice from Connect to support Surrey
- Give feedback on services for carers (through Luminus)