GP Registration & Support for Unpaid Carers

GP Registration and SNOMED CT Codes

Information shared by Sabina Akhtar from Redbridge Carers Support Service following the last LD Partnership Board meeting. This contains important guidance for carers, health professionals, and anyone supporting a family member or friend.

What Are SNOMED CT Codes and Why Do They Matter?

SNOMED CT (Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms) codes are standardised codes used by GPs and healthcare professionals to record clinical data. NHS England has produced guidance on recommended SNOMED CT codes for unpaid carers of all ages, ensuring that carers are identified and supported across health and care systems.

Using SNOMED CT codes consistently means:

• Carers can be properly identified in their GP records

• Healthcare systems can report how many unpaid carers are registered in primary care, including young carers

• Carer contingency plans can be recorded and quickly accessed in a crisis

• Carers receive the support and recognition they are entitled to

  
  

1. Talk to Your GP - It Matters

Carers UK has created a helpful guide explaining why it's important to let your GP know you are a carer, what support you may be entitled to, and how to make sure your caring role is recorded.

Read the Carers UK guide: Talking to your GP

2. Template Letter to Register as a Carer with Your GP

There is a ready-made template letter that carers can use to register with their GP as an unpaid carer with the correct SNOMED CT code. Simply download, fill in your details, and send it to your GP practice.

Download: Template letter to register with your GP (Word document)

3. NHS England Guidance on Coding Unpaid Carers

NHS England has published detailed guidance on recommended SNOMED CT codes for identifying unpaid carers, including a new code for carer contingency plans that can be included in the Summary Care Record.

Read the NHS England guidance: Coding Unpaid Carers - SNOMED CT

4. Resource for Health & Social Care Professionals

Carers Trust and Carers UK have jointly produced a comprehensive resource (February 2025) for health and social care professionals: 'Identifying and supporting unpaid carers in England to improve integrated system working'. This 29-page guide covers:

• Legal responsibilities towards unpaid carers

• Carer identification and registration

• Hospital discharge and unpaid carers

• Social prescribing for carers

• Carer contingency planning

• Supporting carers through virtual wards

• Carers' breaks and assessments

• Links to hospital discharge toolkit and much more

Download: Identifying and supporting unpaid carers in England (PDF, Feb 2025)

5. NHS England Letter to All GP Practices (2022)

In October 2022, NHS England wrote to all GP practices about identifying and supporting unpaid carers. The letter highlights that up to 11 million people in England have unpaid caring responsibilities, and explains the importance of recording carer status using SNOMED CT codes consistently.

Download: NHS England letter to GP practices (PDF, Oct 2022)

6. Supporting Young Carers - The Children's Society GP Pack

The Children's Society has produced a GP practice guide specifically for identifying and supporting Young Carers. This is a valuable resource for ensuring that young carers are recognised and supported in their caring role.

Download: The Children's Society GP Pack Guide (PDF)

7. NHS England GP Quality Markers

NHS England has published a framework of quality markers for supporting carers in general practice. This helps GP practices benchmark and improve their support for carers.

Download: Supporting Carers in General Practice - Quality Markers Framework (Word document)

8. Hospital Admission & Discharge - What Carers Can Expect

Redbridge Carers Support Service (RCSS) has created a helpful document outlining the hospital admission and discharge process, including what carers can expect at each stage - from admission and acute treatment through to discharge planning and returning home with support.

Key advice for carers during hospital admissions:

• Tell hospital staff you are a carer

• Share what you know about your loved one's routines and needs

• Ask questions and raise concerns early

• Ask to be involved in assessments and discussions

Download: Hospital Admission to Home - Carer's Guide (PDF)

9. Learning Disability Liaison Team - BHR Hospitals

If you or someone you care for has a learning disability or autism, BHR Hospitals (King George Hospital in Goodmayes and Queen's Hospital in Romford) have a dedicated Learning Disability Liaison Nurse Team. They provide support before, during and after hospital visits or appointments.

Contact the Learning Disability Liaison Nurse Team:

Telephone: 020 8970 5719

Email: Bhrut.learningdisabilitiesteam@nhs.net

Visit the BHR Hospitals learning disability support page

About This Information

This information was shared by Sabina Akhtar, Community Support Officer at Redbridge Carers Support Service (RCSS), via Chris at Redbridge Forum, following discussions at the LD Partnership Board meeting. RCSS supports unpaid carers in the London Borough of Redbridge.

Redbridge Carers Support Service: www.rcss.org.uk | Tel: 020 8514 6251

If you need help accessing any of these resources or would like support registering as a carer with your GP, contact CFDN advocacy service at advocate@cfdn.org.uk or call 0207 205 7387.