IMPORTANT INFORMATION For GP’s and medical professionals at GP Surgeries
East and West Suffolk only
You will no doubt be aware of Suffolk Family Carers Service called Respite on Prescription, which has been funded again for 25/26 financial year, and is available to support family carers who have an East and West GP.
ROP is to enable a family carer to undergo a medical procedure/appointment/treatment, and where they need replacement care for the person they care for to be able to go ahead with the medical intervention.
ROP is for Elective procedures only, it is not an emergency service.
ROP can also be used if Carer Breakdown is identified (only)by the GP/Health professional- ROP Authoriser will investigate to ensure no other support is required. (limited to two days respite)
GP or medical professionals at the GP are the only people who can refer family carers to SFC for this service.
The funding is to help towards replacement care, so the cared for person can be looked after which allows the family carer to have the procedure. This is mainly for the time the person is undergoing treatment. There is a criteria regarding funding amounts, and funds are limited, so may not cover all cost of the replacement care that is needed. However the contribution is extremely helpful to the family carer to be able to go ahead with their medical procedure.
The GP needs to confirm that the family carer needs to have a medical procedure, and supply their date of birth and NHS number , this needs to be of the family carer not the person with care needs.
Referrals can be made using DXS, or If your surgery does not use DXS please email the family carers details to hello@suffolkfamilycarers.org,, some GP surgeries still have a ROP paper slip, which are still accepted.
Please do use this valuable service for family carers who are in this situation.
Any queries, please contact – Debbie Reeve
