Further considerations
It is important to remember that there is no obligation or responsibility for someone to take on or continue being another adult’s unpaid carer. People have the right to choose how much care they feel comfortable and able to provide, and those decisions should be respected.
In some cases, a patient may have more than one unpaid carer, or their unpaid carer and next of kin may be different people. In these cases, it can be helpful for ward staff to ask the patient and their support network who they would prefer to act as the main contact point. This helps keep communication clear and avoids the stress of sharing the same information multiple times.
Staff should also keep in mind the possibility that the patient themselves has a caring role for a loved-one out in the community. It’s important to ascertain if this is the case and, if so, make sure that that person has appropriate support during the time their carer is in hospital.
Emergency Backup Plan:
An Emergency Backup plan (EBUP) is a document detailing what should happen if a carer is unable to support their loved one due to illness, a family emergency or other unforeseen circumstance – In some areas, this is known as a Carer Contingency Plan. The plan details the needs of the person requiring care and names trusted individuals who may be contacted to step in temporarily. It is important that this plan is updated when there are any changes of circumstance so that the information remains as accurate as possible.
If a contingency plan has not already been set up in advance and the carer suddenly found themselves admitted to hospital, it would not be something the family could make use of during that admission. However, it is still valuable to inform the patient and their family or representative about the scheme so they can consider registering so it’s available in future emergencies.
In Brighton & Hove, the scheme is completely free. If no nominated contacts are available or listed, the carer and cared-for person can opt to consent for Crossroads Care to provide emergency support. In such cases, care will be delivered by Crossroads free of charge for up to 48 hours in the week or 72 hours on weekends/ bank holidays. For more information, please see Brighton & Hove Council’s webpage: Brighton & Hove’s Emergency Backup Scheme for Carers