Awards presented to Wiltshire GP surgeries with best support for unpaid carers

GP practices in Wiltshire that are providing the best support to unpaid carers have been recognised in the Wiltshire Investors in Carers GP Accreditation Scheme.

The awards recognise and celebrate those Wiltshire GP practices who have met a number of requirements, including maintaining an up-to-date carer register, having a carers’ lead and providing clear information and flexible appointments for carers.

This year, the highest number of GP surgeries yet received awards – 41 in total out of the 46 GP surgeries in Wiltshire.

Thirty of these were given the highest possible award of Platinum, up from 28 last year.

Kim Hiles, Practice Manager at Hathaway Medical Centre in Chippenham said: “The partners and managers at Hathaway Medical Centre are extremely proud of all the hard work Ingrid and Louise have put in over the past year to achieve our Platinum Carers Award. 

“They are fantastic Carers Leads working consistently hard for all of our carers.

“This year it has been particularly challenging, but they have adapted and successfully achieved the highest award once again for Hathaway – thank you.”

This is the eighth year that Carer Support Wiltshire has coordinated the awards, which were set up to ensure more consistency in the support carers receive within GP practices. #

The awards are funded by Wiltshire Council and Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board.

Tracey Cox, Chief Executive, BSW ICB, said: “A lot is often said about the immense value of carers and, while it’s impossible to quantify just how important they are, we know that carers nationwide are able to save the country’s economy more than £130 billion each year showing their immeasurable worth.

“It is so important to identify carers in our community and to provide them with the right support and help that they need. I am pleased that so many more GP practices across Wiltshire are providing this support and being recognised for their efforts through this great accreditation scheme.”

In previous years, the awards were handed out in person as part of an awards ceremony.

This year’s awards were given virtually and videos of the practices receiving their certificates are being shared this week on social media using #GPCarerAwards, and on the Carer Support Wiltshire website.

The full list of awards can be found by clicking here.