The Carer Support Team ("CST") is a team of volunteers that gives support to carers of children admitted to the Starfish Children's Ward at Watford General Hospital.  

Many carers are alone in supporting their child on the Ward (due to partner's work obligations or family not nearby).  CST was set up to give practical support to these carers so they are better able to care for their child.  CST's valuable work also allows busy health care professionals to focus on the medical needs of the children.

Two years ago a mum who spent a lot of time on the ward with her own children saw the need for the team.  She saw that carers often lack a 24/7 support network; some have limited English.  All are stressed and face sitting beside the beside their sick child for indeterminable periods of time.

Although funding for carers is evident at hospitals with specialist care or intensive care units, we do not know of another bespoke volunteer team like CST.

A volunteer may sit with a child while a carer showers, help a carer compile questions for the consultant, provide toiletries to families, organise a translator and/or provide information about the hospital.  CST also makes referrals to Home-Start (a partner charity) when carers could benefit from support at home after discharge.

Volunteers are carefully chosen.  There is a written application, interview and security checks.  There are mandatory meetings every six weeks to ensure the volunteers work similarly and effectively as a team.  In addition to regular training put on by Watford Hospital for volunteers, there is also mandatory formal training every year for CST members.

On a recent inspection (October 2015), the Care Quality Commission cited CST as an example of "outstanding practice"..."parents we spoke with told us the practical and emotional support provided by volunteers was valued by them".

CST has grown from 1 volunteer in 2014 to 12 volunteers at the moment.  It aims to have a complete team of 15 volunteers by 2017.

CST receives no NHS funding and raises its finances from supporters, local business and funding bodies.  It fundraises under the umbrella charity of The West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust.  CST's annual costs are approximately £4,000.  Any surplus funds are put back into the service to further enhance the experience of carers and their families in Children's Services. CST has recently fitted out the Parent's Room on Starfish Ward and purchased breastfeeding chairs for Children's Emergency.