Carers' strategy consultation

Our trust is developing a new carers’ strategy, aimed at improving the experience of those who look after loved ones with mental health issues and their families.

A series of open meetings will be held across Birmingham in January 2012 to give carers and families a chance to put their views to members of the trust’s Meriden Family Programme.

Some of the key issues up for discussion include:

Raising awareness of carers and their needs,
involving carers more within the trust,
providing better carer support, and
working in partnership with families.

The meetings – which will take place in the city centre, Erdington and Moseley, will last no more than 90 minutes and refreshments will be provided. Full details are listed below:

January 11:

Meeting room 1, Carrs Lane Centre, Carrs Lane, Birmingham city centre.
Tel: 0121 643 6151.
Time: 6-7.30pm

January 26:

Tavistock room, Uffculme Centre, Queensbridge Road, Moseley, B13 8QY.
Tel: 0121 301 3950
Time: 10-11.30am

January 31:

Large meeting room, Northcroft, 190 Reservoir Road, Erdington, B23 6DW.
Tel: 0121 623 5500
Time: 2-3.30pm

For more details and to request a flyer, contact Sam Farooq, business manager for the MERIDEN Family Programme on 0121 678 2896 or email sam.farooq@bsmhft.nhs.uk

If you are unable to attend these meetings but want to contribute to this consultation, please contact Sam who will send out a questionnaire for you to complete and return.

Save the date: Conference for carers

Our trust will kick off its first carers’ conference at St Andrew’s - home to Birmingham City Football Club – in Small Heath, next year.

The free event, which will see the trust launch its carers’ strategy and host a carers’ marketplace, will take place on April 27, 2012 between 12pm and 6pm.

More details will follow in subsequent issues of GP Matters, but please share this information with patients and their carers.