Help for young carers

Talking to doctors and nurses if you're a young carer

Physical and mental health

Sometimes doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers are worried about telling you what is happening with the person you care for because you aren’t an adult.

If you have a Young Carer ID card, show it to them and explain that it's important for you to know about what is happening. Doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers will be able to tell you about: 

  • medication - what medicine, pills and injections the person is getting and the effects it can have 
  • the condition of the person you look after and what is wrong with them 
  • what might happen in the future with their illness or disability 
  • what should happen when the person you look after leaves hospital and include you in any discussions 

Going into hospital 

If the person you look after has to go into hospital, there are people who can make sure you have the information you need. 

On the ward 

Show your Young Carer Passport to the staff on the ward if you have one. They will then tell you about what is happening. They may also be able to arrange visiting times that fit around school or college. 

You should be able to go to regular meetings with doctors and the person you care for to discuss their treatment and the plans for when they go home. 

Some wards have Carers Advice and a Support and Liaison worker who can give you reassurance and information that you need. 

Ask for the ward’s phone number so that you can phone if you’re worried about anything. 

Hospital treatment  

If the person you care for becomes very unwell, they may need to be admitted to hospital. 

Show your Young Carer Passport to the staff on the ward. The person you care for will have a named nurse and you can speak to them at any time about any worries or concerns you may have. 

You’ll be able to go to regular meetings with doctors and the person you care for to discuss their treatment and the plans for when they go home. 

Coming home 

If the person you care for needs more care, the Community Health Team will assess them and may arrange for them to see any of these professionals: 

  • Psychiatrist 
  • Community psychiatric nurse 
  • Occupational therapist 
  • Social worker 
  • Community Nurse 

They should listen to your views. Show them your Young Carer ID card. 

Get help to speak to doctors 

If you or the person you care for would like help with talking to the doctors or telling them your views, contact an organisation called LAMP which helps people with mental health problems with advocacy and information. Find out more about Mental Health Care and Support Leicester | Lamp Advocacy