Forum Brief: Carers' Week
Carers' Week is running from the 14th - 20th June 2004.
Research shows that two thirds of carers feel that their health has suffered as a result of their supporting role.
The chief executives of four major charities - Carers UK, Crossroads Caring for Carers, the MS Society and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers - are writing to every primary care trust urging them to improve the services they provide for carers.
Forum Response: Carers UK
Emily Holzhausen, public affairs manager, Carers UK said: "We've been campaigning to improve how the NHS recognises carers over the years and we have seen improvements - more GP practices identify carers and there is more information available for carers in surgeries, but, as this small study shows, there is still a long way to go before the right support is in place for carers.
"Carers UK's research found that carers support is valued at a staggering £57 billion per year - equivalent to a second NHS.
"Those NHS staff who do not see carers as important need to recognise the important role that they perform - carers are their partners in care and have a right to be supported and their health protected.
"The General Household Survey found that 72 per cent of carers providing round-the-clock care said that their health had been affected by caring. Our society depends on the support that carers provide and we must ensure that carers' health and welfare does not suffer as a result of caring."
Forum Response: Counsel and Care
Martin Green, chief executive of Counsel and Care, said: "There needs to be both greater recognition and improved support for carers because without their contribution our health and social care system would collapse.
"The support they need should cross every aspect of government and should extend to proper pay for those who give up work to care, better and more flexible work options and an increase in respite services. Unless these issues are addressed as a matter of urgency, we will store up huge problems for the future."
Forum Response: Age Concern
Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, said: "Caring can be very demanding and many older people become carers in later life either for parents, friends or relatives. Our research shows that three million over 50s provide care for someone who is frail, sick or disabled and this is worth £15.2 billion to the economy each year.
"Although carers save society billions, many face poverty in retirement. The current basic state pension system is inflexible and fails to recognise the contributions of carers. The government must replace the current outdated system, with a fairer, more flexible system of credits paid on a weekly basis.
"Many older people also find it hard to juggle work and care. Earlier this year the government acknowledged the lack of flexibility in the workplace for carers of older people. We need legislation to give carers of older people equivalent employment rights to parents."
Forum Response: SANE
Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of SANE, said: "SANE has been disappointed by the way in which the carers, particularly the families, of mentally ill people, continue to be sidelined and isolated.
"In many cases we know, over-zealous interpretation of confidentiality means that unlike with other conditions, they are given little or no information on the condition of the person they care for, let alone support and advice.
"Overlooking this resource is at the expense not only of the public services but at huge cost to the emotional and physical health of the carers themselves."
Forum Response: Stroke Association
A spokesman for the Stroke Association said: "Each year over 130,000 people a year have a stroke in England and Wales, and about a third of those are left with long-term disabilities as a result.
"Hundreds of thousands of people have devoted their lives to caring for someone who has become disabled following a stroke.
"Much of this support is voluntary - provided by partners, relatives, friends and family who often have to give up employment in order to be able to give that support. Unfortunately the substantial lifestyle changes that carers have to make and the new responsibilities they take on, often overnight, can take their toll.
"We would welcome any moves to ensure that carers are given the recognition and support that they deserve to help them with the challenges they often face."
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