You can ask your GP practice to record that you are a carer on their system. This helps your GP and the wider practice team understand your situation and offer you extra support.​

Being recorded as a carer can mean:

  • Your GP knows about your caring role and how it affects your health​

  • You may be offered a free flu vaccination

  • You may be given more flexible appointment times that fit around your caring responsibilities​

How to use this right:

  • Tell your GP practice that you are a carer and ask to be added to their carers register.

  • You don’t have to share personal details about the person you care for, just enough for the practice to recognise your role

  • Once you are on the carers register, check with the practice what extra support is available to you

If you feel your right to ask your GP to identify you as a carer is not being met, you can contact:

  • Ask to speak to the practice manager and/or carers lead at your GP surgery. Explain that you believe your GP has not recognised your role as a carer and ask for this to be reviewed. Every practice should have a procedure for complaints or feedback

  • If the issue isn’t resolved at the GP practice level, you can make a formal complaint to Dorset Integrated Care Board (ICB) (formerly Clinical Commissioning Group): Feedback – NHS Dorset

Tip: If your GP practice doesn’t seem familiar with this, ask to speak to the carers lead or practice manager. All practices are expected to identify and support carers.

If you prefer to speak to somebody about your concerns, the two main carer support services in Dorset and their team of carers advisors are here for you:

If the person you care for lives in the Dorset Council area, contact Help & Care Call 0303 303 0153; email carers@helpandcare.org.uk; or visit www.helpandcare.org.uk

If the person you care for lives in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) area, contact BCP Carer Support. Call 01202 128 787; email carersupport@bcpcouncil.gov.uk; or visit BCP Carer Support

More information on support for carers in Dorset generally: Carers – Our Dorset

For more information on your rights as a carer visit: Carers Rights Day | Carers UK

If you are a young carer, you may be interested in visiting this website which talks about your rights specifically: Know Your Rights: A Guide for Young Carers and don’t forget MyTime are here for you in Dorset: MYTIME Young Carers