By Isle of Wight Observer
The Carers’ Lounge, at St Mary’s Hospital, provides unpaid carers with support, information and advice.
Over the last eight years, this invaluable resource has provided more than 4,500 unpaid carers with help in navigating the complexities of hospital admissions, stays, and discharges. The service is funded by the IW Council’s Adult Social Care budget, through Carers IW.
The Carers’ Lounge supported Mrs Litten, whilst her husband was in hospital, and she wanted to share her thanks for their support. She said: “Thank you to the Carers’ Lounge for all the support during my husband’s stay in hospital. I especially appreciated the advice on discharge planning. This made the process so much easier. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
Lorraine Timothy, a carer support worker, explained: “Not only does the Carers’ Lounge offer a first-class service to carers, but it also plays a crucial role in expediting safe discharges and saving countless bed days for the hospital.
“Through the Carers’ Lounge, vital information has been seamlessly shared between carers and the discharge team, leading to significant improvements in communication. We feel very lucky to be able to help carers navigate their way through an admission to and discharge from hospital. We love our work.”
