Spotlight series: Carers strategy

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Summary of report content

Healthwatch Medway conducted a focus group in April 2019 with 8 young carers (aged 7-20 years) who gave feedback on their experience of being a carer and their thoughts on the Carers Strategy in Medway. 

The young carers reported that they experience issues around anxiety and mental strain when caring for their loved one. They told Healthwatch Medway that they are not listened to or supported by health professionals. Carers asked if they could have extra support from education services particularly during exam periods and when trying to apply for jobs. They also highlighted that they didn’t feel they were fully aware of the condition of the person they were caring for. 

Healthwatch Medway recommended that a young person should be included in the development of the Carers Strategy to make sure their voice is heard. The Carers Strategy needs to clearly state the actions it will take to address issues and be in accessible formats for people with differing communication needs.

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Report 
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General details

Report title 
Spotlight series: Carers strategy
Local Healthwatch 
Healthwatch Medway
Date of publication 
Tuesday, 28 May, 2019
Date evidence capture began 
Monday, 1 April, 2019
Date evidence capture finished 
Monday, 13 May, 2019
Type of report 
Report
Key themes 
Access
Holistic support
Information providing
Lifestyle and wellbeing
Support
Other information of note about this report 
Young Carers
Healthwatch reference number 
Rep-4603

Methodology and approach

Was the work undertaken at the request of another organisation? 
No
Primary research method used 
Focus group
How was the information collected? 
Engagement Event
If an Enter and View methodology was applied, was the visit announced or unannounced? 
N/A

Details of people who shared their views

Number of people who shared their views 
8
Age group 
18-24 years
Gender 
All
Ethnicity 
All
Specific ethnicity if known 
All
Sexual orientation 
NA
Does the information include public's views? 
Yes
Does the information include carer's, friend's or relative's views? 
Yes
Does the information include staff's views? 
No
Does the information include other people's views? 
No
What was the main sentiment of the people who shared their views? 
Mixed

Outcomes and impact

Were recommendations made by local Healthwatch in the report? 
Yes
Does the information contain a response from a provider? 
No
Is there evidence of impact in the report? 
No
Is there evidence of impact external to the report? 
No

Network Impact
Relationships that exist locally, regionally, nationally have benefited from the work undertaken in the report
 
Implied Impact
Where it is implied that change may occur in the future as a result of Healthwatch work. This can be implied in a provider  response, press release or other source. Implied impact can become tangible impact once change has occurred.
 
Tangible Impact
There is evidence of change that can be directly attributed to Healthwatch work undertaken in the report.