Broxtowe team awarded accolade to recognise their ‘life-changing’ support for carers 

Broxtowe’s Care Navigation team find and register more carers than ever

On Tuesday 22 November, Primary Integrated Community Service’s Care Navigation team were awarded the Carer-Friendly Service Quality Mark for their ‘impactful and innovative’ support for Carers.  

The team works with residents with long term health conditions who are registered to GP Surgeries in Kimberley, Eastwood, Stapleford and Beeston. They help people manage their condition, remain independent and avoid hospital admissions.  

Nottinghamshire Carers Association (NCA)’s Stephanie Smith presented the award to mark Carer’s Rights Day, attributing ‘a significant increase in the number of Carers coming forward and getting support” to the team.  

The Care Navigation Service asks every person they work with whether they care for someone or if they are cared for by someone. With consent, they then register them as a Carer with their local practice, ensuring that they’ll get support in future, including flu vaccinations.   

Primary Integrated Community Services, a local GP-owned healthcare provider, provides the service in partnership with local GPs. In the same ceremony, PICS became the first organisation in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire to achieve a Carer-friendly accreditation as both an employer and service provider, reflecting their caring culture for both staff and patients.

In October 2022, a Broxtowe resident showing signs of developing dementia was admitted to hospital following a fall. His wife called the Care Navigation team to discuss options to support him when he was ready to leave. Joanne Pounder, Care Navigator, identified that his wife was his main Carer, and listened when she said that she wasn’t getting the respite she wanted.  

Joanne explained what she did next: “While we were working through options for her husband’s care, I said that we need to ensure that she is well supported and looked after too. I suggested we make a Carers Assessment, which would open up access to NHS funding for a Carer’s Break and she agreed. I registered her as a Carer with her GP Surgery and agreed that we would keep in contact to follow up on her husband’s care. The lady said that she felt supported by my call and felt there was hope.”   

Dr Paul Scullard, local GP in Eastwood said: “It’s wonderful to see the recognition of the work the Care Navigation teams do supporting not only patients but their Carers and family. I witness daily the impact of their interventions and they are frequently life-changing for patients and families.” 

Stephanie Smith, Health Liaison Worker at Nottinghamshire’s Carers Association, said: “The PICS Care Navigation team has engaged with our team to enhance their compassionate and empathetic service. With their innovative and impactful approach, I am confident that they will never miss an opportunity to identify a Carer.”