Minister responds to Rochdale concerns

Date published: 18/06/2008

The Minister for Care Services, Ivan Lewis MP, has fulfilled a promise to see what he could do to give carers a better deal following his visit to Rochdale earlier this year.

The Minister launched a £255million carers strategy this week, which will see £150million put aside to give short breaks for carers and a further £38million invested in helping carers stay on at work. 

The extra money will be allocated to PCTs, who will be required to work with their local authority partners to publish joint plans for the provision of breaks after a local consultation with relevant parties, including the third sector and carers themselves.

Young people who care for sick parents and relatives are also included in the strategy, with £6 million set aside to prevent them from taking on an "inappropriate" level of responsibility.

GPs will also receive extra training to recognise the role carers play and the effects on their health. The use of direct payments will also be encouraged.

Speaking after the announcement, Ivan Lewis said that it was important the Government gave more support to the estimated six million people who provide care free to relatives or friends.

"In a society where an increasing number of us are caring for ageing parents or sick and disabled relatives, it is right that we recognise carers are at the heart of 21st century families and communities,” he said. "In the next decade elder care will be the new childcare and it is essential our policies properly meet the scale of the challenge.

"An extra £150m for short breaks will double the amount of respite care available over two years, £6 million will be made available to support professionals to ensure no child has their childhood stolen through taking on inappropriate caring responsibilities and £38m will help carers who want to combine a job with their caring role.

"A further £61m will be aimed at enhancing support to voluntary organisations and ensuring NHS and social care professionals focus on the specific emotional and health needs of carers."