A new scheme has been launched to support unpaid carers while their loved ones are in hospital.

Wiltshire Health and Care which manages the community hospital inpatient wards and Carer Support Wiltshire are working in partnership on the Carer Ward Accreditation Scheme.

The scheme was launched in all three of Wiltshire’s in-patient community hospitals Chippenham, Warminster and Savernake. An event was held at Chippenham Community Hospital to mark the launch on June 10.

It aims to develop quality markers for carer-friendly hospital wards in order to reduce carer breakdown and improve the health and wellbeing of carers of all ages. It will ensure unpaid carers are better identified, consulted and supported while their loved one is in hospital and when they are discharged.

Health and community engagement officer at carer support Wiltshire Jackie Maton said: “Carers play a key role in providing support for a loved one who has needed to be hospitalised and are usually the expert on that person’s care. A carer can enable and facilitate earlier patient discharge from hospital and helping to prevent re-admission.

“It is in everyone’s interests to make sure that carers are communicated with and consulted at every stage. We know that if a carer feels confident when they take on caring for a loved one, their health and wellbeing is promoted and there is less risk of carer crisis and family breakdown. We are thrilled to be launching this scheme at Chippenham Hospital and look forward to seeing how it benefits the many thousands of unpaid carers there are in Wiltshire.”

Douglas Blair said: “I’m delighted that together with Carer Support Wiltshire we have been able to launch this scheme across all our community hospitals. Carers play a vital role in a patients’ journey and we want them to feel empowered, supported and confident that their voice is being heard. Well done to everyone involved.”