Carer Collaboration

As a carer you have unique and invaluable knowledge about our service user that could aid treatment and recovery of their mental health. Therefore, if you have concerns we would like to invite you to contact the CMHT:

• To build a relationship that connects our service with you and our service user

• To share relevant information

• To ask any questions about mental health, diagnoses, treatment options etc

• To express any concerns you may have about our service

• We will try to respond to all queries within five working days. However, please be mindful that during busy periods responses may take longer.

Please contact the CMHT via email or calling Duddon House (details further down the page), and reference any messages as Carer Communication. Please note, reception may ask you for brief details regarding the reason for your call, this is simply to assist with triage.

Carer Support

Information Sharing and Confidentiality

People who access the Community Mental Health Team have a right to confidentiality, which means that they have to consent to have their information shared, unless there is a risk of harm to self or others. Therefore, the amount of sensitive information the team can share with you depends on the situation and what our service user has agreed. This consent will be regularly reviewed.

What can you ask us and tell us?

The same agreement around confidentiality extends to the information you provide. You are welcome to share your thoughts and

concerns with us, as this could help in a number of ways such as:

• informing or updating the team

• influencing the support they offer

• making safety planning more relevant and helpful for our service user

We are also able to answer any general questions related to mental health, treatment, and recovery; and we will try to provide you with current and appropriate information and guidance so that you are best placed to continue offering support to our service user.

What support can we offer carers?

As well as building a connection that will benefit care and treatment for our service users, we are also aware that being a carer can be mentally and physically challenging at times.

Therefore, as a Community Mental Health Team we want to ensure that carers of people with mental health difficulties feel heard and supported.

We can refer you for a Carers Assessment, and signpost to other local services, which can offer information and support for carers.

Carers support group

We are hoping to set up a carers support group and would be interested to hear from you regarding what would be helpful.

• informal drop-in support?

• structured psychoeducation about mental health?

• information sessions around treatment and services, etc?

Contact details for the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT)

Address: Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCft) Community Mental Health Team (CMHT – Furness), Duddon House, Fairfield Lane Barrow in Furness, LA13 9AZ

Telephone: Duddon House 01225 408 600 (Mon to Fri, 9 to 5pm, except bank holidays)

Out of hours (if in crisis) please contact the Home Based Treatment Team (HBTT) on 01229 404 360

Email: FurnessCMHTReception@lscft.nhs.uk

Feeling low and need someone to talk to?

Call 0800 915 4640

Monday to Friday 7pm to 11pm Saturday to Sunday 12pm to Midnight

Need urgent help?

Call 0800 953 0110 24 hours a day, seven days a week

This leaflet is available in alternative languages and formats upon request. Please speak to a member of our staff to arrange this.

In mental health, recovery works best when there is a team around the person.

Carers are often the missing piece and have an important role in helping professionals to offer the best care and treatment to our service users.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

If you have any concerns, questions or need advice on our services, you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).