Part 3: First meetings with health professionals

When first meeting with a doctor or nurse, it is important that they learn about their new patient and carer.

As a carer, you can share information about yourself, particularly if there is something that might impact on the patient’s care or your ability to support the patient.

You should let health professionals know if you or the patient have:

• Other caregiving responsibilities (e.g. you care for your child with a disability).
• Work or home responsibilities which may impact upon your caring role (e.g. you work interstate regularly and will be unable to be with the patient at home after treatment).
• Health concerns/needs of your own which might impact on the patient's care.

You or the patient can also let the health professional know that there are other members of the core caring team who might attend future consultations.