Local NHS trust recognised nationally for its support for carers

A Lincolnshire NHS trust has again been recognised by the Carers Trust ‘Triangle of Care’ programme for its continued efforts and commitment to improving the way it works with carers and relatives. 

Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT), which provides mental health services and some learning disability and autism services in the county has retained its two-star Triangle of Care status for the third year in a row, the highest level of accreditation that can be obtained by mental health trusts through the programme.

Developed by the Carers Trust, the Triangle of Care programme asks NHS mental health trusts and the people who work there to make a commitment to change the way they communicate with and include carers in decisions about the person they are supporting.

Having a Triangle of Care in place ensures the views of carers in formulating care plans and policy is translated into their inclusion at all levels of the process and their often-crucial role is supported through practical means.

Donna Bradford, Head of Carer and Relative Experience at LPFT, said: “Carers are pivotal in the care of our service users and I’d like to thank all of our teams for their continued work in ensuring that we recognise and support carers in their roles. 

“We are always looking at how we can continue to improve the way we work with carers and relatives and one of the things I am particularly proud of is the Carer Champion, Carer Lead and Carer Ambassador roles we have embedded on our wards and within services. These roles are really helping to ensure carers are appropriately involved in their loved one’s care.”

On awarding the reaccreditation, a representative for Carers Trust commended how involved staff at all levels within the trust were in ensuring carers are recognised and supported. 

In continuing to develop the information and support available to carers and relatives, the trust is launching a new Recovery College course as part of Carers Week called ‘Who is a Carer?’. The virtual workshop will help to raise awareness of unpaid carers and the support available to people who look after a loved one. 

Anyone interested in attending one of the workshops or finding out more about the Recovery College and its various courses should visit www.lpft.nhs.uk/recovery-college.