Staff

Gillian Martin

Centre Manager

Responsible for to day to day running of the centre, and developing carers services at the centre and across Gateshead.

Karen Miller

Primary Care Worker

Offers information and help to carers through GP surgeries, health centres and hospitals. Can help carers access health and primary care services.

The National Carers Strategy launched in February 1999 identified the need for all GP surgeries to hold a patient register of Carers. In consultation with Primary Care staff the following code was adopted by GP surgeries in Gateshead:

1. IDENTIFY - Have a Carers Register in your Practice.
2. SUPPORT - Check Carers health and ability to care.
3. CONSULT - Carers should have a choice in how they care.
4. INFORM - Sigpost Carers to appropriate informtion and support services.

Martin Mulvaney

Outreach Worker

Offers help to Carers to access services and provide information. Carers can be visited at home or elsewhere to discuss their needs.

Carers often do not know what help is available or have difficulty in accessing help. This may be due to being isolated or restricted time or energy in being able to find information.

Mandy Quinn

Training Worker

Organises training courses, relaxation sessions and day trips for Carers.

Current topics include coping with stress, relaxation, aromatherapy, computing, confidence building, and moving and handling to promote good back care.

Training cannot solve all Carers' problems, but it can help Carers tap into resources that already exist. It can help them in acquiring new skills which support them in their caring role - and can help build confidence and know-how to compaign for wider range of service provision.