The information in this section deals with health organisations and services that can help you in your caring role. In Waltham Forest, Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust and Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust provide health services.
Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust
Whipps Cross University Hospital provides hospital and maternity services to people from the local area.
Tel 020 8539 5522
Web www.whippsx.nhs.uk
Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust
The Primary Care Trust (PCT) is responsible for providing community based health services to local residents - including GP, dental, optometry and community pharmacy services, community nursing, specialist children’s services and sexual health services. The PCT works closely with its social care partners, the London Borough of Waltham Forest and the voluntary sector.
Tel 020 8928 2300
Web www.walthamforest-pct.nhs.uk
Your GP
Your GP is your first port of call for help from health services. General Practitioners (GPs) provide general medical care themselves and can refer you on to other NHS professionals or services if necessary. Most GP’s work in partnership with other doctors and are supported by healthcare teams. Staff may include practice and community nurses, therapists and health visitors. Many GP practices offer a range of services such as health promotion clinics as well as routine consultations. If you need to register with a GP please contact Waltham Forest PCT on 020 8478 5151.
Community Health Care Services
As well as hospital care, the NHS also provides a wide range of other health services in GP practices, health centres, specialist clinics and for people in their own homes.
These services are available for carers as well as the person they are caring for and include the following:
Community Nurse/District Nurse
Community nurses can provide support in your own home. They usually carry out physical nursing care such as changing dressings, injections or supervising medications. They can also advise on coping with incontinence, and on how to lift someone. They may also be able to organise equipment such as a special mattress or incontinence pads.
They will visit the person you care for to determine their needs. After completing an assessment, they will discuss this with you and the person you care for. If necessary, they will refer you for more help to Social Services, or health therapists. They will devise a care plan which will take into consideration your needs and wishes and those of the person you care for.
Community Psychiatric Nurses (CPNs)
CPNs are based in Community Health Teams. They will visit you in your home and your GP will be able to put you in touch with them. They can help people of all ages with mental health problems, which may include someone you are caring for. Carers are entitled to an assessment of need in their own right, which can lead to both practical and emotional help and support.
They do not usually undertake any physical nursing care tasks. However they will carry out an assessment of the person you care for and advise you how best to deal with their illness, for example giving information on medication, and how to manage daily routines. Many carers also find they get stressed when caring, so they can support you too.
Therapists and specialists
There is a range of other health professionals that you may meet, including continence advisors, physiotherapists, speech therapists, chiropodists, and pharmacists.
Physiotherapists
Physiotherapists have specialist skills in the physical treatment and rehabilitation of people, from the newborn to the elderly. They help people with a wide range of joint problems, chest conditions, incontinence, pain or difficulties in moving, balance or control of limbs.
Occupational therapists (OTs)
An occupational therapist is trained to help a person develop or maintain the skills they need in order to be as independent as possible. These include every day activities like dressing, washing, eating or playing. Occupational therapists can work with you at home. They may recommend specialised equipment or changes to your environment e.g. grab rails beside the toilet. Carers may be loaned specialised equipment to move their children safely, or be help them bath or sit comfortably.
Hospital workers
If the person you care for is admitted to hospital, there are people there who will be able to give you information and advice on their care in hospital and what will happen when they leave hospital. This includes the doctors, nurses and hospital social workers.
Health visitors
Health visitors are nurses with specialist training who provide support to people of all ages. Your health visitor may be able to help you as a carer by providing information on health and illness prevention, access to screening services and advise parents of disabled children on nutrition, growth and development and immunisations. They work with other agencies and can refer you to other service providers. Health visitors can be contacted through the GP or health centre.
Mental health services
The North East London Mental Health Trust arranges and provides both community and hospital-based services for people with mental health problems and their carers in Waltham Forest.
Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust
Hurst Road Health Centre
Hurst Road
Walthamstow E17 3BL
Tel 020 8928 2300
Web www.walthamforest-pct.nhs.uk
Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust
Whipps Cross Road
Leytonstone E11 1NR
Tel 020 8539 5522
Web www.whippsx.nhs.uk
North East London Mental Health NHS Trust
Tantallon House
Goodmayes Hospital
Barley Lane
Ilford IG3 8YB
Tel 08446 001 200
Web www.nelmht.nhs.uk
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Provides information about local health services and a helping hand in resolving problems.
For help with GPs and other primary care services Tel 020 8539 3939
For help with Whipps Cross hospital services Tel 020 8535 6767
For help with mental health services Tel 0800 783 1853
