Navigating the Health and Social Care System
Navigating the Health and social care system can seem like a daunting task for carers and their loved ones, however there are people and organisations who can help. From Carer co-ordinators in each of the five health and social care trusts to charities like Carers NI support is available to help you get the support you need for yourself and your loved one from the medical systems.
Below you will find links, contacts and a few useful tools for helping you manage your interactions with the healthcare system.
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Directory of Resources
HSCNI Carers Webpage
A good starting point for general information about Health and Social care support for carers in NI
Website
https://online.hscni.net/our-work/social-care-and-children/carers/
NI Direct complete A-Z for Carers 2024
An A-Z guide for carers detailing various support mechanisms that can be accessed
Website
Carer Co-Ordinators NI
Below are the details for carer support in each of the NI Health and Social Care Trusts
Belfast Trust
Website
https://belfasttrust.hscni.net/service/carers-services/
CarerSuppSvcs@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Telephone
Address
Carer Support Service,
Belfast HSC Trust, 3rd Floor, Arches Health & Wellbeing Centre,
1 Westminster Avenue North,
Belfast BT4 1NS
Northern Trust
Website
https://www.northerntrust.hscni.net/services/carerhub/
Carer Co-ordinator
Claire Campbell
General Email
carer.hub@northerntrust.hscni.net
Carer Co-ordinator email (not on website)
carers.coordinator@northerntrust.hsni.net
Telephone
Address
Carers Co-ordinator
Equality Unit, Route Complex, 8E Coleraine Road, Ballymoney,
BT53 6BP
Care Support Worker
Gillian Bradley
South Eastern Trust
Website
https://setrust.hscni.net/service/carers-support-service/
carer.support@setrust.hscni.net
Telephone
Text
Address
Carer Support Service,
Ballynahinch Community
Services, 45-47 Main
Street, Ballynahinch,
BT24 8DN
Southern Trust
Website
Carer co-ordinator Email
carers.coordinator@southerntrust.hscni.net
Telephone
Western Trust
Website
https://westerntrust.hscni.net/service/carers-support-service/
Carer Co-ordinator
Geraldine McLaughlin
Carer Co-ordinator Email
GeraldineAnn.McLaughlin@westerntrust.hscni.net
Carer Co-ordinator Telephone
Carer Co-ordinator Text
Address
Rossabbey Office, Abbey Street, Londonderry,
BT48 9DN
Carers NI
Looking after someone can be a rewarding experience. It can also be tough, lonely and bewildering. But you’re not on your own. Carers UK is here to listen, to give you expert information and guidance, to champion your rights and support you in finding new ways to manage at home, at work, or wherever you are.
Carers NI Practical Support
Navigating the care system can be confusing. Carers NI has guidance on key topics on everything from hospital discharge to assessments to help you find your way.
Website
https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/practical-support/
Carers NI Carers Guide
A guide for carers from Carers NI
Website
https://www.carersuk.org/ni/help-and-advice/guides-and-tools/looking-after-someone-guide/
Upfront Guide to Caring
An Upfront guide to caring from Care NI to allow you to access the information you need
Website
Jointly App
Jointly is a carer collaboration app from Carers UK that combines group messaging and to-do lists with other useful features, including medication lists, calendar and more.
Jointly makes communication and coordination between those who share the care as easy as a text message
Website
Other Resources
AGE NI – Can carers get help from social services?
Advice from Age NI on how to ask for help from social services
Website
QUB Patient and Public partners for research page
Our rare disease team welcome conversations for new research ideas or contributing to current research at any stage.
Website
https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/RareDisease/Patientandpublicpartners/
Ulster University Rare Disease Research
Our Ulster-RARE (Ulster University Alliance against Rare Diseases) research teams at Ulster University aim to understand rare diseases through our expert knowledge, research, and first-class facilities, with the goal to improve the quality of life, treatment and care for those impacted by rare diseases in Northern Ireland.
Website
Incontinence
Incontinence is the loss of bladder or bowel control which can affect up to 1 in 3 people in the UK at some stage of their lives. A broad range of conditions and disorders can cause incontinence, including neurological diseases, multiple sclerosis, poliomyelitis, infection, and degenerative changes associated with ageing.
Website
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence/
What can I do?
If you are caring for a family member or friend who is incontinent and would like some advice on how to help them, you can seek advice from the Continence Advisor in your local Health and Social Services Trust.
Tax Credits
What is it?
Tax credits have been replaced by Universal Credit for most people.
Further information can be found at
For further information see Universal Credit.
Money and Pensions Service
What is it?
The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is an arm’s-length body sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions, established at the beginning of 2019. It aims to help people – particularly those most in need – to improve their financial wellbeing and build a better, more confident future by working collaboratively across the UK.
For further information go to:
Contact details
Pensions Guidance Phone: 0800 011 3797
Money Guidance Phone: 0800 138 7777
General Enquiries
Email: contact@maps.org.uk
Phone: 01159 659570
Share Your Rare Story
Every caregiving journey is unique and your story matters. Whether you’re a family member, friend, or professional supporting someone with a rare disease, we invite you to share your experiences. Your story could offer comfort, insight, or hope to others walking a similar path.
Submit Your Story
