Blog 1
Raising awareness of the unpaid, unselfish work unpaid family carers do.
I wondered if this group was genuinely interested in involving carers in its research. I knew Tilly Hale from Liver North, a brilliant organisation where we had talks with leading consultants and I felt valued and learned a lot.
The Tilly Hale Carer research group inspires me in my own research to raise awareness of the unpaid, unselfish work unpaid family carers do. The involvement of NIHR as funders adds strength for me that the group is genuine. The group helps me to meet others like me, albeit with different reasons for caring. I feel a little less isolated and my voice is heard with this group. In hospitals, carers need a stronger sense of inclusion in decision making and being involved in the triangulation of care as they have knowledge of the patient (and possibly power of attorney).
I was a senior nurse in the NHS in Scotland and left to support a loved one. He was a brilliant academic but also an alcoholic. I have had a roller coaster journey navigating basic care at the point of need and all the horrors of alcoholism in the family. I genuinely thought he would die of injury through intoxication, or refusal of treatment from all services. I feel the patient is often consulted without the family or carer present, so the patient is often not giving informed consent.
Following my work and being part of the Tilly Hale Carer Research Panel, I am preparing a poster for a Glasgow dementia conference in May to raise awareness of the vital work carers do.
Public Contributor: Anonymous
