The Northern Sydney Carer Support Service is funded through the NSW Department of Health's Carers Program. There are Carer Support Services in each of the Area Health Services and our aim is to improve the responsiveness of the health system to the needs of Carers, and improve access to the health system for Carers.

Who Cares? 2.5 million Australians: ABS, 2008

Around 2.5 million Australians aged 15 years and over care for someone at home because of a disability or old age, according to a new report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. ABS Media Release

Further details can be found in A Profile of Carers in Australia, 2008, a report that brings together information from a range of surveys conducted between 2003 and 2006 to paint a picture of Carers in contemporary Australian society.

In the Northern Sydney region there are approximately 120,000 Carers, of which 20,000 are Primary Carers (a Primary Carer is the main provider of care to someone in the core activities of daily living such as dressing, eating or moving around the house.)

The total of all Carers is projected to increase by 160% over the next 15 years.

What does the Carer Support Service do? We provide information, support, education, and links to services for Carers to assist them in caring for a partner, family member or friend who has a long-term disability or illness, or who is frail-aged. We are establishing a presence in each of the public hospitals in the Northern Sydney region, working with Health staff to seek ways of addressing the needs of Carers whilst the person they care for (the Caree) is in hospital, and highlighting the need for inclusion of the Carer in post-discharge discussions regarding care that they may be required to give the Caree at home.

Click this link to download the NSW Carers Action Plan

Carers' News, Events and Latest Updates Please take a minute to think about your colleagues, friends or family who might be Carers while you watch this short slideshow ... http://www.ncahs.nsw.gov.au/carers/ (Courtesy of North Coast Area Health Service, Carer Support Program) The Warringah Disability Newsletter is a free fortnightly e-newsletter for people with a disability, their Carers and service providers. It covers events, resources, financial items, training and conferences of interest to residents and service providers of the Northern Sydney region. Click here to read current and past issues http://www.wls.nsw.gov.au/screens/dservices.html#didyouknow Monday Morning Drumming Sessions Do you support or care for someone with a mental illness? The Bradfield Park Wellbeing Centre is running free drumming sessions for carers of people with a mental illness every Monday morning 10am-12noon (except public holidays). Drumming is known to be good for health and wellbeing, decreasing stress and providing a place for Carers to meet other people sharing similar experiences Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney's "The disAbility Leisure, Arts, Sports and Lifestyle Web Guide http://www.d-ability.org/ is a tool by which people can explore life's possibilities following injury or illness and aims to assist people to discover, or rediscover, their own interests, dreams and ambitions. Developed as part of the specialist recreation service at Royal Rehab Centre Sydney, the site is vibrant and easy to search with a world of ideas and information organized into sections including "Travel", "Leisure and Outdoors", "Health and Wellbeing", "Sporto's" and "Arty Farty". Comments, feedback and volunteers are welcome as this resource is continued to be developed (Kel Smith 9808 9269 or kel.smith@royalrehab.com) Click on this link to view other events and activities Carer Event Diary

The Northern Sydney Carer Support Service Team

Barbara Lewis, Northern Sydney Carer Support Service - Manager
Megan Evans, Carer Support Officer - Young Carers & FAMI Club, Ph.8877 5283
Pam Smith, Carer Support Officer - Ryde & Hornsby Hospitals, mob. 0434 327 577
Sato Hacopian, Carer Support Officer - RNSH, Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, Ph.9926 6663
Mary DiMattina, Carer Support Officer - Manly & Mona Vale Hospitals, mob.0434 323 411
Robyn Smith, Carer Support Officer - Communication, Ph.8877 5108

Our office hours are 8.30 - 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
Telephone: 8877 5349
Facsimile: 8877 5320
Email: carersns@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au
Postal: Carer Support Service
Locked Bag 2220
Gnd Floor, The Lodge, Macquarie Hospital
North Ryde NSW 1670