The ‘Triangle of Care’ is the UK’s only carer-designed and independently assessed quality improvement scheme to promote safety, recovery and wellbeing by including and supporting carers.
Coinciding with Carers Week (8-14 June), the Trust joins over 90 healthcare providers by becoming a member. Existing members include NHS trusts, private healthcare firms and voluntary sector organisations across England and Wales.
The scheme is led by Carers Trust, a national charity reaching more than one million carers of all ages and backgrounds. Carers Trust provides practical, emotional and financial support through a network of local services across the UK. The Triangle of Care framework recognises carers as essential partners in care and services to involve, inform and support carers consistently throughout a person’s care journey.
By joining Triangle of Care, ELFT has committed to continuous improvement against six key standards:
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Carers and the essential role they play are identified at first contact, or as soon as possible thereafter.
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Staff are ‘carer aware’ and trained in carer engagement strategies.
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Policy and practice protocols for confidentiality and sharing information are in place.
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Defined post(s) responsible for carers are in place.
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A carer introduction to the service is available, with a relevant range of information across the care pathway.
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A range of carer support services is available.
Over recent weeks, the Triangle of Care programme has been discussed across several Directorate Management Teams and Trust-wide groups to support early engagement and ensure services, carers and staff help shape the implementation approach from the outset.
Membership of the Triangle of Care gives all ELFT colleagues the opportunity to access best practice guidance, shared learning networks and regular events. To do so, colleagues will need to create an account using their NHS email via the Member Hub.
Following the Trust’s membership, ELFT will be working towards receiving a ‘Triangle of Care Star Award’. This is a national accreditation for organisations that are consistently working towards the six standards while enabling the Carers Trust and peer reviewers to act as a ‘critical friend’.
Implementation will be phased across the Trust, beginning with Mental Health Inpatient and Crisis Services in Year 1, before expanding into Community Mental Health and Community Health Services in future phases.
Commenting on the membership, Director of Social Work, Mary Brazier, said: “I am delighted that the Trust has committed itself to working closer and more collaboratively with carers across east London, Bedfordshire and Luton. Membership of the Triangle of Care will support us to ensure we are fully co-producing services and continuing to provide the highest quality of care for our communities.”
Mary Patel, Triangle of Care Programme Lead at Carers Trust, said: “We warmly welcome ELFT to the Triangle of Care, creating a valuable opportunity for staff and carers across the Trust to systematically identify good practice, and pinpoint how unpaid carers can be better involved as true partners in care. As the NHS begins to shift care from hospital to community settings, ELFT joins a growing national network committed to recognising and supporting the critical role carers play in patient safety and improving health outcomes.”