Bermondsey surgery wins National Carers Award

The surgery was awarded £1,000 in recognition of the work they do supporting carers in their surgery.

The Trust and HSA launched the awards in March 2004 to recognise the work GPs were doing to support carers. 25,000 carers in Southwark, alongside GPs, help look after their family, neighbours and friends. All the work is done voluntarily and unpaid. In fact, when it comes to caring they are probably the GPs greatest partner.

The competition received a large number of high quality entries, but the judging panel, which included Dr Stephen Ladyman MP, Under Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and BBC Breakfast's Dr Rosemary Leonard, recognised Grange Road Practice with the Silver Award. They were most impressed with the long history of the practice's support for the carers and the amount of work they have achieved. Southwark Carers, part of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers network, has worked with the group and is keen to work with other GP practices who are interested in developing a group or service.

The practice will be spending some of the prize money on improving the facilities for carers in the new premises.

Pat Duke, a carer from the surgery, commented: “I'm really glad that they have won they do not just recognise carers but truly help them. They have a carers meeting on the last Tuesday of the month with tea and treats, it is nice to have someone to listen to the carers. Mabel Carew, the care co-ordinator and facilitator of the group, does everything she can, she pulls in people from Carers support services, GPs, surgeons, etc to do talks and her support doesn't stop at the table, she is always out and about searching for information.”

Dr M Brooks added: "We are delighted to be recognised for this work. Carers have enough to cope with in life and we are just trying to make things a little easier for them."

• If local carers need support and information they can contact The Princess Royal Trust Southwark Carers' Centre on 020 7708 4497.