How we support carers

Royal Surrey is proud to have signed up to John’s Campaign. John's Campaign is a national initiative which gives families and carers the right to stay with patients with dementia in hospital.

The Trust supports open visiting for patients who would benefit from having a family member and/or carer present for therapeutic support.

Read more about John's Campaign.

Our commitment to supporting and improving the experience of carers has led to Royal Surrey implementing a variety of carer-focused initiatives that we have listed in our Carer Charter. Read our Carer Charter.

If you are staying with a relative to provide support whilst they are in hospital, we can arrange for you to have a Carers' Passport. This will give you additional access to the hospital facilities and support you during your stay outside of the normal visiting hours.

The ward manager can provide further information about this initiative or to request a Carers' Passport for a family member.

We have a Hospital Carer Support Advisor (HCSA) at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust who can:

• Help bridge communication gaps between the unpaid carer and hospital staff, including advocacy support.
• Guide you through the hospital discharge process.
• Offer advice and information as well as providing emotional support.
• Signpost to support from other organisations.

Please ask a member of staff and they can refer you to the HCSA.

This service is provided by Action for Carers.

The Admiral Nurse team is part of the wider community nursing service in Guildford and Waverley working with families living at home with dementia.

The service focuses on the family as a whole, making sure carers have the support and skills they need. It also works alongside other community services and can help coordinate the different services that may be involved in supporting the person with dementia.

Learn more about our Admiral Nurses.