In response to this concern, Hackney Council has launched a new service that enables the carer to sign up for an Emergency Card as part of a Carers Assessment. The Council and carer draw up, record and sign an emergency plan that ensures care can be put in place within two hours of notification of an emergency. The card is recognised by the police, ambulance, accident and emergency and other key services.

This service is not intended as substitute for normal respite care or short breaks from caring to cover non-emergency situations, such as the carer wishing to take part in social occasions, work or hobbies.

for carers who suddenly find themselves in a crisis situation

Local service (Hackney).

Contact the Carers Helpline (see details above). Open from 8am-8pm Monday-Friday, and 9am-1pm Saturdays.

Why emergency home respite for carers?

Carers often worry about who will tend to the people they care for if they, the carer, suddenly fall ill, find themselves in a crisis situation and are unavoidably delayed, or have an accident. Carers especially worry that no-one else will know that the person they care for needs help in their absence. A recent national consultation found that having 'peace of mind' ranked highly for carers when they are away from the person that they care for.

15/07/2012