An evaluation of informal carers' experiences of hospital support

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the support that informal carers receive from the East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust (The Conquest Hospital site).

The aims of the research were to:

· Examine carers' experience of the care and support provided by the NHS

Trust.

· Advise on ways in which services for carers can be improved and developed.

The objectives of the research were to examine:

· Carers' expectations of the types of support and information which they should

receive when the person they are caring for is admitted to hospital.

· The extent to which the East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust Code of Practice for

involving carers is being implemented.

· The extent to which carers feel that their expectations have been met, their

needs and interests have been taken into account and they have been involved

as active partners in the care provided in hospital.