Carers can spend more time alongside loved ones at community hospitals in Dorset thanks to a new initiative. 

Dorset HealthCare has introduced a ‘carer’s passport’ system, giving people hospital access outside of regular visiting hours and providing vital extra support to patients when they need it.

The scheme proved successful when it was piloted at hospitals in Weymouth, Portland and St Leonards last year and was initially open to carers of people with dementia. 

It is now available at all 11 community hospitals across the county and is available to anyone who cares for a relative, partner or friend with physical or mental health problems.

Under the system, carers identify themselves on arrival at the hospital and are given a badge or ‘passport’, which allows them to stay beyond regular visiting hours.

Mary Karchel, who lives near Sherborne, was the main carer for her late husband Peter who had Parkinson’s disease. 

Last year, he spent the final months of his life at the Yeatman Hospital in Sherborne, where Mary was able to visit him as often as she wished.

Mary said: “The hospital staff involved me in the care, invited me to give my opinions and at every junction would inform me of any changes in care or things they would like to do.

“I could go in at any time day or night it didn’t matter, and that was a great support in looking after Peter.

“I used to visit him in the afternoons but he was often asleep, so a nurse would often call me in the morning and say ‘he is awake now, come and stay as long as you like’. 

“We had the most wonderful help and care.”

Hospital staff will welcome carers throughout the day and into the evening. Overnight stays will be at the discretion of ward nurses.

The carer’s passport idea was sparked by John’s Campaign, a national initiative founded in late 2014 following the death of dementia patient Dr John Gerrard. 

Alison Low, senior sister on the Fayrewood Ward at St Leonards Hospital, said: “It makes a huge difference to the care we can provide when we have inside knowledge of a patient from their loved one. 

“It helps us to meet their individual needs more effectively, and also gives the patient additional support at what can be a difficult time.”

Find out more information about the innovative scheme at www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk.