How does it work?
During the time your loved one is in hospital you may be eligible for a passport. The passport offers discounted parking, discount in our onsite restaurants and refreshments from the tea trolley. It also enables you to visit outside of visiting hours so you are able to continue providing care to the person you care for. You may be able to stay overnight, depending on if it is safe and appropriate – each ward will be able to advise if this is possible. The passport also provides you with the opportunity to be involved with your loved ones care plan, as we understand you are the expert.
How do I get one?
When you arrive on the ward, let a member of nursing staff know you are the carer for your loved one. The nurse will have a conversation with you which will be documented on a carbonated form called a Carers Conversation Sheet. You can keep a copy and one will be filed in the patient notes.
We will support you to continue your caring duties on the ward and we see you as a member of the ward team. Any caring duties you wish to undertake will be agreed with the nurse, as they will consider patient safety and any risks upon completing the Carers Conversation Sheet.
Once the document has been completed and it has been agreed that you will continue caring for your loved one, a Carer Passport will be completed with you and you can then use this until the expected discharge date. If your loved one is not discharged by this date, you can request a new passport to continue receiving discounts.
To make sure that this scheme is fair and sustainable, we ask that when receiving the discounts that you show a form of ID.
The passport is available on inpatient wards and not yet available in Outpatients or A&E, however the Trust is looking at other ways carers can be supported in these areas.
View supporting information leaflets for Carers.
For further information, please contact one of the Trust’s John’s Campaign Ambassadors – [email protected]