Triangle of Care

The Triangle of Care is a therapeutic alliance between service users, colleagues and carers that promotes safety, supports recovery and sustains wellbeing. The original Triangle of Care guide was launched in July 2010 by the Trust. It was developed by carers and colleagues to improve how we engage with carers.

At Nottinghamshire Healthcare, the Triangle of Care is used to make sure that unpaid carers, families, siblings and friends are valued, recognised and involved as partners in care.

Unpaid carers develop extensive experience of healthcare services due to having close relationships with the people they care for.  A carers perspective is invaluable in the design and delivery of services.

 

The Triangle of Care standards

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  Carers, and the essential role that they play should be identified at first contact with services or as soon as possible thereafter.
• Colleagues should be aware of carers and trained to engage with them more effectively.
• Policies and protocols should be in place to ensure confidentiality and improve information sharing with carers.
• Defined roles such as; Carer Leads and Carer Links, responsible for Carers should be in place.
• Carers should be introduced to the service and provided with arrange of information.
• A range of carer support services should be available to offer or signpost carers to.

 

Triangle of Care self-assessment and plan

The Triangle of Care Self-Assessment tool helps staff, services, carers, and patients evaluate how consistently the Trust identifies, informs, involves, and supports carers. It helps wards and teams work closely with carers and families to improve the way services are delivered. It also supports positive changes in the culture of the organisation by strengthening carers and families involvement and promoting a whole-family approach.

After completing the self-assessments, each ward or team will work with carers and partner organisations to review their responses through carer peer reviews, whenever possible. This will help teams develop, review, and agree on actions to improve their practice. The process also helps the Trust share examples of great practice and understand where improvements are needed. 

 

You can contact the Involvement team to find out more via email Involvement@nottshc.nhs.uk