Support for carers using hospital and community services is being highlighted today by members of Walsall Healthcare’s Patient Experience Team who are taking part in a town centre event

Today is Carers’ Rights Day and Forward Carers, in partnership with Walsall Council, is holding a drop-in session until 3pm today at Walsall Town Hall . The session is for unpaid carers to find out information to help them in their role and is covering topics such as managing energy costs and legal rights.

The Patient Experience Team is attending to speak to people who have caring responsibilities as it is shortly launching its Family and Carers Support Service within the Trust.

Garry Perry, Associate Director – Patient Relations & Experience, said: “Carers are such an important part of the healthcare services we deliver through the Manor Hospital or within the community – they know and understand their loved ones better than anyone.

“Their voice needs to be heard and, most importantly, listened to, and that’s why events such as this one today give all of us working with patients and carers in Walsall an opportunity to hear first-hand their challenges, concerns and ideas. At The Trust we have been doing a lot of work around appreciating and recognising the role of carers and will shortly be launching our new Family and Carers Support Service which has been shaped by their feedback and experiences.

“We also know that many people just don’t consider themselves as carers – they are “just getting on with things” in their eyes – and we need to make sure we do all we can to ensure they have access to the support they need.”