Primary Palliative Care Research Group

Support for informal carers in primary care

A feasibility study of early identification, assessment and support for informal carers in primary care

Approximately 17% of the Scottish population provide unpaid care for a relative, friend or neighbour. Those supporting someone with terminal illness often cope until the situation becomes overhwelming. Earlier identification could enable more timely support.

We modelled and piloted a systematic approach to identify, assess and support carers in primary care. We found that general practices need to proactively identify carers using existing opportunities, resources and computer systems, and also adopt a public approach to raise carer awareness and perceived support within their communities. This work informed the Scottish Carer Bill which was passed in the Scottish Parliament in February 2016. Emma has now moved to lead research at Marie Curie Hospice in Glasgow and maintains close links with the group.

Funder

Marie Curie and Dimbleby Cancer Care

Research Team

Emma Carduff, Scott Murray, Marilyn Kendall, Alison Jarvis, Anne Finucane, Gill Highet, Nadine Harrison, Jane Greenacre

Read more

Piloting a new approach in primary care to identify, assess and support carers of people with terminal illnesses: a feasibility study BMC Family PracticeBMC series – open, inclusive and trusted 2016 17:18

http://bmcfampract.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-016-0414-2