Tea time for Mount Druitt Hospital carers

Mount Druitt Hospital celebrated its carers on Wednesday, October 18 as part of National Carer’s Week.

Staff took a tea trolley, filled with delicious goodies, to wards around the hospital, offering treats to carers.

Staff handed out morning tea and thank you packages, containing a mug, tea, coffee and a small pamper item, in the hope carers get to have some time to themselves, with a cuppa, to reflect on the incredible support they give.

National Carers Week (October 16 – 21) is an opportunity to raise awareness about the diversity of carers and their caring roles.

There are more than 2.8 million family and friend carers in Australia providing 36 million hours of care and support every week to a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, drug and/or alcohol dependency, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail.

The theme for National Carers Week 2017 is Carers Count, focusing on the number of carers in Australia, the hours of care they provide and the value of that unpaid care.

Western Sydney Local Health District patient and carer experience manager Wendy Cain said National Carers Week was a good opportunity to pay homage to these often unsung heroes.

“Our carers are vital; we count on them and we really want to celebrate the outstanding contribution they make, often behind the scenes,” she said.

“Anyone at any time can become a carer; National Carers Week is an opportunity to raise awareness about the roles carers play each and every day.”

Show carers they count by saying thank you at www.carersweek.com.au or via social media, using #carerscount and #carers2017.