Announcing John’s Campaign: Recognising carers as an integral part of the healthcare team

Fresenius Medical Care UK & Ireland’s primary priority is always establishing and ensuring the highest quality of patient care possible. Taking stock of everything we’ve learnt from the pandemic; we have decided to join John’s Campaign.

Speaking with Adrienne Grieve, Nursing Manager – Training and Education, who has been spearheading the integration of the initiative within Fresenius Medical Care, the campaign initially was set up to allow carers of those living with dementia to stay with them within healthcare settings.

Looking to the future, John’s Campaign wants to include any carer, not just those looking after someone with Dementia. Fresenius Medical Care is keen to extend this to anyone who has an additional need, be it learning disabilities, blindness, or more.

As an integral part of the healthcare team, Adrienne has seen first-hand the benefits John’s Campaign can bring to patients and staff alike. Those with additional needs can struggle to feel comfortable and safe within a new healthcare environment, which can prove more of a challenge when meeting their needs. Having a knowledgeable and familiar face enables patients themselves to feel empowered in their own care and enables healthcare providers to better meet all their wellbeing needs. Adrienne says “John’s Campaign puts higher quality, person-centred care at the forefront. It maintains the patient’s dignity, whilst also recognising the key role that family carers play. Ultimately this leads to more informed and holistic care”

Additionally, whilst it is absolutely vital to recognise the value of carers and the wealth of information they can provide, it is also essential to view them as people. As Adrienne points out, a key aspect of John’s Campaign is also increasing support for carers. “We’ll also be able to better spot when carers themselves need additional support. Some don’t even recognise that they are a carer, some see themselves as just carrying out their familial obligations.”

Implementing John’s Campaign at Fresenius Medical Care means that if a patient who is seeking treatment for CKD also has additional needs, we are able to have a meeting with their carer in the first instance. Here, it will be made absolutely clear that there is no pressure, they are not beholden to or obliged to care for their loved ones while they are receiving treatment. John’s Campaign provides an opportunity to choose the level of involvement of care that they wish to have.

We have always involved carers as part of the healthcare team, but this makes it consistent across all clinics and reinforces our commitment to patient care and beyond.