How we involve carers in treatment

As a carer, you may be involved in drawing up a care plan for the person you are caring for, with their agreement. This plan describes the care and help they will recieve from the Trust. You will also be told who to contact in an emergency.

Every service user has a named care co-ordinator, such as a psychiatrist, social worker or community psychiatric nurse (CPN), who will monitor the care plan. You can talk to the care co-ordinator about any concerns or queries you have.  

Treatment in hospital

If your friend or relative is staying in hospital, one nurse will be the point of contact for their care during their stay. You may also be invited to join ward meetings, where the service user and staff caring for them discuss treatment and progress.

Questions to ask

You can draw up a list of questions to ask such as:

• what is the diagnosis or when do you think a diagnosis will be made
• what is the plan for treating my friend or relative
• will there be any side effects
• how can I help?

The  Royal College of Psychiatrists website has a leaflet of questions carers might want to ask psychiatrists.

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