CHFT's pioneering Keep Carers Caring Campaign celebrates its first birthday this week.

The campaign supports the carers of our patients to remain with their loved ones while they are in hospital. It adopts the principles of John’s Campaign and expands the criteria to people admitted into hospital who have a physical disability, cognitive impairment, long term condition, learning disability, mental health issue or people who are frail.

A total of 1072 lanyards, 1568 meals and 492 beds have been provided to carers in the first year of the campaign. 

Not only have wards and departments made their pledges to support carers - other non-clinical colleagues, such as porters and our colleagues on the main entrance front desk have also got behind the campaign.

Speech and Language Therapist, Jo Smith-Scadden, was one of the people who led on the implementation of Keep Carers Caring at CHFT in January 2023. She said: "This year we have seen carers feeling welcomed into our Trust. Hands have been held 24-hours-a-day and voices have been heard.

"It's been emotional and challenging at times, but every day we have seen a life being changed. We have become part of a movement - to be recognised and heard in Parliament earlier this year for this work was a huge achievement. We have come so far."

The main entrance of HRI and lift lobby at CRH will be lit up pink and purple in celebration of the milestone this week.