A joint initiative from Bath's Royal United Hospital and the Carers' Centre aims to benefit staff, patients and their carers during hospital stays.

The Carers' Resource Pack contains information to help staff understand patients' needs and improve their experience at the hospital.

Neil Drinkwater, from the Carers' Centre, said: "Carers are telling us that when a loved one goes into hospital they want to be more involved in the decision-making around their care."

The Carers' Resource Pack contains a questionnaire to be completed by the carer with useful information about the patient. This will help everyone work together and communicate more effectively as a team."

Through the centre, the hospital asked for feedback from carers about how it could improve.

The Carers' Resource Pack is part of a range of collaborative services developed as a result. Another improvement is a carers' officer based at RUH, visiting patients on wards and providing carers with information and advice about services that could help them.

Mr Drinkwater said: "We are constantly finding new carers from across the region at the RUH.

"Often they have not known about the help and support available to them. Looking after someone who is frail, ill or disabled can mean giving up work, struggling financially and damage to health."

Dr Chris Dyer, consultant geriatrician at the RUH has been leading the launch of the new resource.

"We are delighted to be working so closely with the Carers' Centre and recognise carers as expert partners in the treatment and care of patients.

"Admission is a worrying time for vulnerable patients and their carers – the Carers' Resource Pack will help to ensure we understand their needs more clearly."