Carers
We recognise and value the support and expert knowledge that carers can give, we also recognise the positive impact that staff and carers working together can have on a patient's wellbeing.
Who is a carer?
A carer is someone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member - who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction - who cannot cope without their support.
We welcome all carers to accompany the patient (their loved one), at anytime and to continue to provide an agreed level of care in partnership with staff whilst their friend or family member is receiving care at one of our hospitals.
For more information, watch a video by Carers First at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8as7gs9QwU&t=3s
Our committment to you
We will do our best to:
- recognise you as a carer and support you to identify the level of care you wish to provide including providing you with a carers passport and ID pass (please see this section below)
- recognise you as a carer and invite you to support the person you care for whilst in hospital
- listen to and respect your views as a carer
- support you to access appointments for your own health care needs when required
- signpost you to appropriate support services for carers
- inform and involve you in agreed aspects of care for the person you care for.
Carers' ID Badge Scheme
Supporting Carers Across mid and south Essex
Following feedback from our Carers Support Group, we are introducing the Carers' ID Badge Scheme to help staff identify and support carers more effectively. This initiative recognises the vital role carers play in supporting patients and helps ensure they are appropriately involved in care discussions and discharge planning.
This is another example of our**"You Said, We Did"** approach, demonstrating how feedback from carers has led to meaningful improvements across our services.
Benefits of the scheme
- Helps staff recognise carers more easily
- Strengthens partnership working with carers
- Improves communication
- Enhances the patient and carer experience
- Supports person-centred care and discharge planning
What Carers need to know
What is the Carers’ ID Pass?
The Carers’ ID Pass recognises your vital role and helps staff easily identify you so you can be fully involved in your loved one’s care.
Why have I been given a pass?
Because you are an important part of the patient’s support, and this pass helps us communicate with you and include you in care decisions.
How the pass works:
- Issued by a ward nurse
- Used with the Carer’s Passport
- Must be worn visibly during your visit
- Returned before you leave the hospital.
What the pass may allow you to do:
- Support with mealtimes
- Assist with personal routines
- Be present outside usual visiting hours (where appropriate)
- Join staff in care discussions and updates.
Where is the scheme used?
The pilot began in late 2025 on Chalkwell Ward. Carers reported feeling more visible, valued, and included.
Rollout timeline:
- Full Trust-wide rollout by October 2026.
Need support or have questions?
Speak to the nurse in charge, a Learning Disability Nurse, a Dementia Nurse, or the Carer Support Lead.
Key Contact
For support or questions about the scheme, please contact:
- Carers Lead: Claire Ryan, Patient Experience and Engagement Coordinator at mse.patientengagement@nhs.net
- Learning Disability team
- Dementia team
Alternatively, speak to the Nurse in Charge.
Please help us by
You can help us by:
- speaking to staff to let us know you are a carer and if you would like to be involved as a Care Partner
- talking to us about any concerns you might have about the care and treatment being provided to the person you care for
- taking care of yourself; your involvement is valued but not expected
- tell us if there's anything else we can to do support you in your role as a carer
- respecting the privacy and dignity of other patients
- providing information that will help us to give the best experience of care to the person you care for.
Looking for support
If you help care for someone and need support and are unsure where to turn, you can find lots of useful information and organisations that can help you at https://www.essex.gov.uk/adult-social-care-and-health/caring-someone.
Looking after someone with learning difficulties and/or autism
If you care for someone who has learning difficulties and or autism, please visit our Learning disabilities and autism support page.
Parking information for carers
We have concessions for those who are receiving cancer, renal and other long-standing healthcare.
For information about this and blue badge holders, visit our Car parking, charges, concessions, blue badge and free parking permits page.
Finding your way around our hospitals
To help you find your way around our hospitals, we have interactive user guides to most locations across our sites.
To find out more, visit AccessAble - helping you find your way.