Latest figures estimate that 6.5 million people are unpaid carers in the UK and it is estimated that carers save the economy £132 billion per year. There is a growing recognition of the importance of understanding the needs of carers and how they access education and skills to build support. We are developing an education and support package for those caring for loved ones in their own home, working with family carers to create a simple, decision-support tool that will enable them to identify signs of deterioration early and make decisions about what to do to help. 

We  are working with Geraldine Rodgers, Associate Director of Nursing and together we plan to adapt Significant 7, a tool developed within NELFTto help staff in care homes identify signs of deterioration earlier and to help them know what action to take, to make it relevant and useful to family carers.