Patient carers are many and different At any one time ask "Who is in the caring loop " ? ... and who is not ? 1. Family carers - the patient is living at home and dependent. Does the care co-ordinator see the carer separately ? 2. Local family carers The patient is living independently but is visited and supported, regularly and often, by family carers. They know him and will be able to report any change of significance - if they are told how. 3' Carers at a distance: other family member(s) living away but in touch with the principal carer, and/or are aware of patient progress - or otherwise. They may be able to be contacted to get an 'independent' viewpoint. 4. spouses and partners 5. friends and neighbours 6. Agency Care, Hostel landlords who are 'in charge' and are the equivalent of long term staff but may keep their own counsel 7. Ordinary flats and lodgings. There are likely to be other patients and/or adjacent tenants who can be informants. 8. Professional carers -should be already in the loop: admission areas, community teams, day centres, sheltered work placings 9. A & E staff departments: Police - who may be temporarily caring after 'incidents' : the PACE system has to be known back to Home Page	Care programme Approach Carer Assessments Carer and confidentiality Carer Survey Breaks in the week a Carers tale another story Out Patient Clinic for carers ? complaining PALS Community Teatemnt Orders [CTO ] and Carers

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