The Carers Charter - Supporting you while you support others
NHS University Hospitals Tees has launched a new Carers Charter – a promise to unpaid carers of all ages that their voices, experience and knowledge will be recognised.
The Charter was created by asking and listening to carers, as well as local organisations, to understand how hospitals can better work with those who look after loved ones.
The Charter is especially relevant to people living in North Yorkshire, many of whom use The Friarage Hospital in Northallerton or The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
The charter and events see several organisations working together to help you. These include Carers Together, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Hartlepool Carers, We Care You Care, Healthwatch Redcar and Cleveland, Healthwatch Middlesbrough, Healthwatch North Yorkshire and Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees.
What the Carers Charter promises
If someone you care for is in hospital, NHS University Hospitals Tees promises to:
- Make sure you have a named nurse to contact
- Listen to your knowledge about the person you care for
- Work with you to support individual care
- Include you in decisions about their care (and explain when this isn’t possible)
- Keep your personal information safe
- Train staff to understand the important role you play
- Take your feedback seriously
- Give you details of support groups for carers
- Include you in discharge planning
This is about recognising carers as partners in care – people who know the patient best and can help shape better support.
Why it matters
Unpaid carers do a vital job, often with little recognition or support. Whether you care for a family member, friend, partner or neighbour, the time and energy you give helps keep people safe and well.
This Charter is a step towards making sure your role is not overlooked.
Carers Week – NHS events for unpaid carers
To mark Carers Week 2025, which begins on Monday 9 June 2025, local NHS teams are inviting unpaid carers to come and speak with them about:
- Support available for unpaid carers
- Their ongoing commitment to carers at University Hospitals Tees
- The Carers Charter
You can find them at the following locations:
- Tuesday 10th June 2025 – Main Reception, Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, DL6 1JG (10am–3pm)
- Wednesday 11th June 2025 – Atrium, James Cook Hospital, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW (10am–3pm)
- Wednesday 11th June 2025 – Main Concourse, North Tees Hospital, Stockton-on-Tees, TS19 8PE (9am–4pm)
- Thursday 12th June 2025 – Main Concourse, Hartlepool Hospital, Hartlepool, TS24 9AH (9am–4pm)
→ Healthwatch North Yorkshire will attend this event. Come and speak to us if you’re an unpaid carer – whether you’re looking for support, want to share your experience, or just need someone to listen.
If you're an unpaid carer, these events are a chance to be heard and to find out what support is available to you.
To find out more, or if you have any questions, please email stees.patientexperience@nhs.net
