****The phone lines are at their busiest before 10am therefore if you need an appointment with a member of the nursing team or are calling to book a blood test please call back after 10am.****
****Calling for results? To allow us to better manage demand on our phone lines please can all patients wishing to discuss results call the surgery after 2pm only.****
****Please note we cannot process repeat prescription requests over the phone. Please either use the econsult service via our website homepage or drop in a written request to the surgery.****
****Owing to the number of requests being received we are asking patients to provide 7 days for us to process a prescription rather than the usual 2 working days.****
****We are offering face to face appointments as well as telephone consultations as such if you wish to see a GP for a consultation please do let the reception team know when booking your appointment. Please note a GP may still ask to see you face-to -face following a telephone consultation if they deem it appropriate.****
****Travel vaccinations should be booked with the Surgery at least 6 weeks’ prior to travel.****

Carers

Are you a carer? Do you look after Someone?

Upcoming Events

Do You Look After Someone?

‘Cared For’ Patient Consent Form

‘Cared For’ Patient Consent Form.

Are you being ‘Cared For’?

Does a relative, friend or neighbour help to look after you because you are ill, frail, disabled, have a mental health concern or problematic substance use and you could not manage without their help? If so, then you are being ‘Cared For’ and are being supported by an unpaid carer.

Please take a few moments to read this note and complete the form on the reverse of this sheet.

Why you should complete the ‘Cared For’ Patient Consent Form

The person who cares for you (known as your unpaid carer) may have been given a separate Unpaid Carer GP Registration Form to complete. However, this does not give the person who cares for you the right to ask about your health care. This is because of data protection rules that state you have to consent to your personal details being shared with your unpaid carer. 

However, if you complete and sign this form you are giving the GP surgery permission to record you as a ‘Cared For’ patient. You will also be identifying your unpaid carer and giving permission for them to discuss your personal care with members of your health care team. This is particularly useful should an emergency arise.

 

What happens when you hand the completed form back to a member of surgery staff?

Once the member of surgery staff has checked you have completed everything, you and your unpaid carer will be asked to sign the bottom of the form. The relevant member of staff will ensure the information is recorded on the surgery’s patient record system.

Ffurflen Caniatâd Claf sy’n ‘Derbyn Gofal’

Ydych chi’n ‘derbyn gofal’?

A yw perthynas, ffrind neu gymydog yn helpu i ofalu amdanoch oherwydd eich bod yn sâl, yn fregus, yn anabl, yn dioddef o bryder iechyd meddwl neu’n defnyddio sylweddau problematig ac na allech ymdopi heb eu cymorth? Os felly, yna rydych yn ‘derbyn gofal’ ac yn cael eich cefnogi gan ofalwr di-dâl.

Cymerwch ychydig funudau i ddarllen y nodyn hwn a chwblhau’r ffurflen ar gefn y daflen hon.

Pam y dylech lenwi’r Ffurflen Caniatâd Claf sy’n ‘Derbyn Gofal’

Mae’n bosibl bod y person sy’n gofalu amdanoch (a elwir yn ofalwr di-dâl) wedi cael Ffurflen Gofrestru Meddyg Teulu Gofalwr Di-dâl ar wahân i’w chwblhau. Fodd bynnag, nid yw hyn yn rhoi’r hawl i’r sawl sy’n gofalu amdanoch ofyn am eich gofal iechyd. Mae hyn oherwydd rheolau diogelu data sy’n nodi bod yn rhaid i chi gydsynio i’ch manylion personol gael eu rhannu gyda’ch gofalwr di-dâl.

Fodd bynnag, os byddwch yn llenwi ac yn llofnodi’r ffurflen hon rydych yn rhoi caniatâd i’r feddygfa eich cofnodi fel claf sy’n ‘Derbyn Gofal’. Byddwch hefyd yn adnabod eich gofalwr di-dâl ac yn rhoi caniatâd iddo drafod eich gofal personol gydag aelodau o’ch tîm gofal iechyd. Mae hyn yn arbennig o ddefnyddiol pe bai argyfwng yn codi.

 

Beth sy’n digwydd pan fyddwch yn dychwelyd y ffurflen wedi’i chwblhau i aelod o staff y feddygfa?

Unwaith y bydd yr aelod o staff y feddygfa wedi gwirio eich bod wedi cwblhau popeth, gofynnir i chi a’ch gofalwr di-dâl lofnodi gwaelod y ffurflen. Bydd yr aelod perthnasol o staff yn sicrhau bod y wybodaeth yn cael ei chofnodi ar system cofnodion cleifion y feddygfa.

Young Carers Support

Signposting for Carers

Carers
Upcoming Events

Funded short breaks for unpaid carers in Wales

Funded by Welsh Government, the Short Breaks Scheme is a new initiative to support unpaid carers of all ages in Wales to take a break from their caring role. A short break is more than just a yoga class or an overnight stay in a hotel, it is a chance for carers to de-stress and recharge. It offers a break from the daily challenges of caring for a family member or friend.

Support for Carers

Bowel Screening Wales
Information for Carers

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Wales. Bowel screening aims to find cancer at an early stage when treatment is likely to be more effective. Early detection is key. At least 9 out of 10 people will survive bowel cancer if it is found and treated early.  

Bowel screening is currently offered to people who are aged between 55 and 74 and live in Wales. We get address information directly from GPs. It is important that the person’s correct home address is registered with the GP. We do not hold any medical information.

Benefits of Screening

  • Finding bowel cancer early gives a person the best chance of survival.
  • At least 9 out of 10 people survive bowel cancer if it is found early.
  • Bowel screening can help find bowel cancer early, even if a person is well and does not have any symptoms.
  • People can complete the bowel test kit at their place of residence.
  • The bowel screening test kit is quick and easy to do, with just one small sample of poo needed.

As a carer you may have your own personal views about taking part in screening. Your view may differ from that of the person you care for and you may feel that the person you care for is not making the ‘right’ decision.

You must remember that your role is to provide the person with the correct information (in an appropriate format) and support, so that they can make an informed decision to take part in  screening or not.  The form below may help you to provide this informed information.

Poppins:A Social Group for People Living With Dementia , their carers and families
(First Friday of Every Month 10:30 a.M.)

Poppins:Grwp Cymdeithasol I bobl say's byw gyda dementia a'u teulu a'u gofalwyr
(Dydd Gwner Cyntaf o bob mis am 10:30 y.B.)

Unpaid Carers: Where Can you Get Information, Advice and Assistance?

Living In A Care Home In Wales

Pembrokeshire Young Carers Padlet

We are pleased to share with you the new Young Carers Padlet, developed by the Young Carers Working Group within Pembrokeshire to support as many Young Carers as possible 

Meic

Meic is the information, advice and advocacy service for children and young people in Wales aged 0-25. It is a bilingual service that can be contacted, confidentially and free, by phone (08088023456), text (84001) or online chat through our website. The advisers who work on the helpline have a good understanding of the challenges facing young carers and can provided information and advice on their rights etc. In addition, they can support them to access specialist young carer services, as well as advocate on their behalf to professionals involved in their lives.
The Meic website also includes lots of interesting articles  and has a professional section with lots of useful resources. They have lots of engagement with children, young people and professionals on their social media pages on InstagramFacebook and Twitter and you can find some of the videos they’ve created on their YouTube channel
Meic operate between 8am and midnight every single day of the year.  
 

Carers Wales Listening Support Service

Listening Support Service – a free, telephone service providing emotional support to unpaid carers, offering them a confidential, safe space to talk about the challenges of caring. We offer a series of up to 4 calls, with the same caller at the same day & time each week, for around 30 minutes. It’s a chance to share with someone who understands, but isn’t connected to the situation.

Meic is the information, advice and advocacy service for children and young people in Wales aged 0-25. It is a bilingual service that can be contacted, confidentially and free, by phone (08088023456), text (84001) or online chat through our website. The advisers who work on the helpline have a good understanding of the challenges facing young carers and can provide information and advice on their rights etc. In addition, they can support them to access specialist young carer services, as well as advocate on their behalf to professionals involved in their lives.

The Meic website also includes lots of interesting articles  and has a professional section with lots of useful resources. They have lots of engagement with children, young people and professionals on their social media pages on InstagramFacebook and Twitter and you can find some of the videos they’ve created on their YouTube channel

Meic operates between 8am and midnight every single day of the year.  

Charter for Unpaid Carers

On 27th September Welsh Government published a long awaited and much needed charter for unpaid carers. Julie Morgan MS, Deputy Minister for Social Services said: “I am pleased to launch the charter for unpaid carers, which sets out the rights of unpaid carers under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act.

The unpaid carers charter states that carers have the right to access:

  • Community based support at an early stage to prevent carers reaching crisis point and accessing vital support services
  • Information, advice and assistance – making sure unpaid carers can get information and advice about what care and support is available and how to access that support
  • Etc.
  • For more information click here.

Carers Wales: Money Matters Hub

Carers Wales has created a page covering information on:

  • Benefits and government support
  • Help with energy bills
  • Help to manager money
  • Support and resources (e.g. grants).
  • For more information, click here.

Free NHS Support for Carers to Quit Smoking

Did you know that you can get 12 weeks free Nicotine Replacement Treatment (NRT) and telephone support to help with quitting smoking ?

  • As a carer looking after your own health and wellbeing is important and becoming smoke-free can give you the extra energy you need.
  • It will also leave you with extra money in your pocket to enjoy some of the things in life that really matter to you.
  • No need to travel to appointments and flexible times for phone calls to fit in with your caring responsibilities.
  • You will get a call to arrange your first telephone appointment with your advisor to discuss options for NRT products or medication, plus advice to help with any cravings during your quit.
  • There will also be ongoing telephone support from a trained advisor to help you to stay focussed on your goal and to talk through any challenges along the way.

Research shows that you are 3 times more likely to quit smoking with a combination of NRT products and personal support in place.

Why not give it a try phone us today on: 0300 303 9652.

Alternatively, scan the QR code below:

Are You A Carer?

“A Carer is someone who provides unpaid help and support to a relative, friend, or neighbour who could not manage on their own due to illness, disability, frailty, physical impairment, mental ill health or substance misuse.”

Does this sound like you? If so, you are an Unpaid Carer.  We are interested in identifying Carers, especially those people who may be caring without help or support.  We know that Carers are often “hidden” looking after a family member or helping a friend or neighbour with day to day tasks and may not see themselves as a Carer.

We feel that caring for someone is an important and valuable role in the community, which is often a 24-hour job that can be very demanding and isolating for the Carer.  We further believe Carers should receive appropriate support by way of access to accurate information on a range of topics such as entitlement to benefits and respite care and not least, a listening ear when things get too much.

Why Are Unpaid Carers Vital?

Unpaid Carers provide around 97% of the Care in the community and save the NHS in Wales over £8.1 billion each year. St Thomas’ Surgery recognises that Carers contribute a significant saving to the NHS by looking after relatives, neighbours or friends who might otherwise have to go into long term care.  Young Carers, under the age of 18 may be particularly vulnerable due to their inexperience and lack of life-skills.  Young Adult Carers, between the age of 18-25, can be the most hidden group of Carers in our society. Therefore we are committed to providing appropriate support and consideration to its patients who are Carers whatever their age.

Why Should You Register As A Carer?

Registering as a Carer may help your health care team to:

  • understand your caring responsibilities.
  • signpost you to information, help and support, either now or in the future.
  • share information about the person you care for (with appropriate written consent)
  • may provide more flexible appointments that reflect your caring role.
  • offer you an annual flu jab (free).
  • refer you to other services or organisations that might be able to help you.

We look forward to hearing from you.

What is A Carers Assessment?

As a Carer, you are entitled to have a Carers Needs Assessment by Social Services. It is a chance to talk about your needs as a Carer and the possible ways help could be given. It also looks at the needs of the person you care for. This could be done separately, or together, depending on the situation. There is no charge for an assessment. Every Carer is entitled to an assessment; however it is not an assessment of your ability to provide care. When you register with us as a Carer, the practice will offer you the chance of a referral.

Information For Carers

Additional Information & Support

We have a dedicated Carers notice board in the waiting room with a lot of information and news of local events Information can also be found at: