Eirian's quality care around the clock for loved one and his patients

PICTURED: Eirian Evans and his wife Rachel.

We have dedicated our theme for November to Carers, where we will raise awareness of the important role unpaid carers play, and signpost to services.

Unpaid carers are the third pillar of our health and social care system, and we want to highlight their dedication and commitment.

Here, we talk to an advanced nurse practitioner who is now looking after a loved one following her cancer diagnosis.

Eirian Evans has spent the last 24 years caring for Swansea Bay patients – a role he now fulfils at home for his wife Rachel.

Despite receiving the all clear from breast cancer in 2019, Rachel was diagnosed with incurable metastatic breast cancer in the liver last year and retired from her role as a staff nurse with Swansea Bay University Health Board.

It means Eirian now looks after her as well bringing up two daughters, aged 13 and 17, on top of his full-time job in Neath Port Talbot Hospital.

His dedication to care on a personal and professional level saw him named Wales’s Carer of the Year at the Nation Radio Pride of Wales Awards after being nominated by staff at Maggie’s cancer centre in Swansea.

PICTURED: Eirian with his wife Rachel and two daughters.

He is among many people across Swansea Bay who are looking after loved ones. It is a role which many can find daunting – an emotion Eirian can relate to, despite a career in healthcare.

Eirian, 45, said: “I was very anxious and scared when I realised I would need to care for Rachel.

“I’ve been in healthcare for 24 years and looked after patients with liver cancer and similar illnesses, so I knew what to expect.

“But it was very difficult because it was a lot to deal with. I was frightened as I have two daughters, and I need to make sure things are as normal as possible for them.

“Caring for the elderly is my job, but it’s different when you are at home looking after your wife – the one you love and been married to for 19 years – and see her battling through this illness.

“It can be very daunting and it’s still very difficult, but you do what you can for the ones you love.

“Rachel doesn’t need round-the-clock care. She can drive in the lead up to treatment, so it’s mostly helping her dress and getting in and out of the bath when she’s had a difficult day following chemotherapy.

”Whatever makes things easier for her, I’ll do it.”

There are organisations across Swansea Bay including Swansea Carers Centre, Neath Port Talbot Carers Service, The West Glamorgan Regional Partnership and Maggie’s helping unpaid carers with welfare benefit advice or access to grants and special funds, counselling or employment support.

PICTURED: Eirian and Rachel on their wedding day. 

It is support which has helped Eirian since he became Rachel’s carer in October last year.

He said: “I have had a lot of help from Maggie’s. They have helped me with a few things in terms of benefits. We wouldn’t have thought of that as we were in full-time jobs.

“The health board has also helped me with being able to work outside of the unit I’m based in to attend Rachel’s treatment in Singleton, which is a real boost for us as I can be close to her.

“My advice to anyone who is becoming a carer or are at the early stages of it is to look into the condition and the charities and services linked to the illness.

“There are organisations who can help you with your rights and point you in the right direction with a few things.

“I’m the type of person who doesn’t like to ask for help for anything, but these organisations can lighten the load and help in certain ways. Don’t be frightened to reach out and you’ll be surprised by the amount of help people are willing to give you.

“There is support out there for and it’s really important that you look into what you’re eligible to receive because it can ease the pressure in many ways. I’ve had vouchers for my food shop while our water rates have been capped due to Rachel needing to use a lot of water for her treatment. Every bit helps.”

PICTURED: Eirian is based at Neath Port Talbot Hospital.

Below, you can find services throughout Swansea Bay who provide help for unpaid carers.

Swansea Carers Centre provides support and information to carers across Swansea by providing welfare benefit advice; access to grants and special funds; a counselling service; respite care; employment support; have dedicated parent carer, young adult carer, male carer and dementia services.

You can access the Swansea Carers Centre website here.

Neath Port Talbot Carers Service was launched in April 2009 to support the unsung heroes who care for loved ones unable to look after themselves.

Their aim is to help unpaid carers recognise their caring role and to provide carers aged 18+ in Neath Port Talbot with advice, information and support. Follow this link to access the Neath Port Talbot Carers Service website.

The West Glamorgan Regional Partnership bring organisations and volunteers together to improve the health and well-being of the people of Neath Port Talbot and Swansea.

One of the Partnership’s key priorities is to provide support to Unpaid Carers and drive the changes needed to improve services and to enhance the well-being of Unpaid Carers across the region.

More information can be found on the West Glamorgan Regional Partnership here.

Carers UK provide information and advice on caring, help carers connect with each other, campaign with carers for lasting change, and use innovation to improve services.

You can access the Carers UK website here.

Maggie’s is a charity based in the grounds of Singleton Hospital that provides free expert care and support.

You can access their website here.