Helen Donnellan, RE:Search South-West, University of Plymouth

Participants Method Tool Respondents

T1Sept 08

T2March

09

Surgery Staff Quantitative / Qualitative

Interviews:•Semi-structured questionnaire

20inc. 3GPs

18 inc. 3 GPs

Carers Quantitative Postal Questionnaire Pack:•General Health Questionnaire•Carers’ Strain Index•Monitoring Form•Satisfaction Survey (T2 only)

97(24%)

211(27%)

Carers Qualitative Focus Groups x 9:•Topic guide

32(33%)

42(20%)

GP Carers’ Project Evaluation Data Collections

GP Carers’ Project EvaluationThe Projects & Registrations

Service Health Check Health Check A&SW Only Occ. Health Counselling None

List size 5292 3945 12146 16145 5350 12686

Increase 300% 392% 107% 77% 74% 26%

Potential 24% 39% 42% 32% 90% 35%

GP Carers’ Project EvaluationThe Questionnaire Responses - GHQ28

All Participants(%)

“Well, if you have to ask, [for a carer check up] it feels as though you have to show that you can’t cope and that to me is really going against the grain. I’d feel I’m failing …..but to be invited to come, well yes, actually that would be good. If I was invited, I’d come.”

[Carer from the follow-up focus groups]

The ImpactPersonalProfessionalOrganisational

GP Carers’ Project EvaluationAdvice & Support Workers

“What you really want is one person at the surgery you can ring up and say,look I’ve got this problem and can I speak to you for a moment “ - A focus group

participant

The Impact: Personal

Enhanced motivation and enthusiasm in developing responsibilities and promoting carer links & services

Opportunity to lead an area within the teamDevelopment of expertise and in-depth local knowledge across

the health / social care sectors Clinical supervision essential to support the role in whatever

mode it is delivered

GP Carers’ Project EvaluationAdvice and Support Workers

GP Carers’ Project Evaluation

“So I did think if I feel myself getting in the depths of gloom again, I will ring her up and I think she’s kind of more approachable than the doctor” – A carer

The Impact: Professional

Different backgrounds of staff defined a range of approaches to the role

A face-to-face listener for direct contact, ‘bridging the gap’ between carer and GP

Flexibility in contact arrangements, including home visitsA local information ‘hub’, co-ordinating the right information at the

right time

Advice and Support Workers

GP Carers’ Project Evaluation

“ I think GPs should be able to recognise that you know, if somebody comes to see them that this one is a carer and ask how you are and well, even if I just say I’m fine and I’m managing OK, it just shows that someone is thinking about you and accepting the big burden that you’re carrying” - [Carer at the start of the project]

The Impact: Organisational

A more holistic approach with a ‘broader support and social focus’ Systems development, eg. read coded links for carer and cared for Inclusion of carers’ issues on core group and practice meeting agendas Access to a range of services through a ‘local information bank’ Improved communication between carers and surgery A surgery-based ‘champion’ reminding all staff to ‘think carer’

Advice & Support Workers

GP Carers’ Project Evaluation

Contact details:

Helen Donnellan, Researcher/Project Manager

Room 207, 9 Portland Villas

School of Applied Psychosocial Sciences

Faculty of Health

University of Plymouth, PL4 8AA

Tel: 01752 586711

E-Mail: helen.donnellan@plymouth.ac.uk