Carers' Support
8 March 2010
Tomorrow, (Tuesday 9th March), North Oxfordshire MP Tony Baldry Tony Baldry is attending a summit, hosted by the Princess Royal, the Founder of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, which is bringing together ministers and representatives of the three main political parties, to discuss the crisis in care for the elderly and vulnerable, and the important role of carers.
Tony Baldry is attending, having been appointed a Parliamentary Champion for Carers, by Carers UK.
The Summit takes place, as it became clear last weekend, that millions of pounds that had been promised for respite breaks for carers, have been diverted to cover for NHS deficits.
"the All Party Group for Carers, of which I am a Vice Chairman", said Tony Baldry, "has been campaigning throughout this parliament for carers to have the funding needed for respite care. When I talk to carers, for them one of the most important things is the opportunity to have a break every week and the possibility of a holiday each year, given that for most of them, they are undertaking 24/7 responsibility for caring for a loved one".
"Respite care allows carers to carry on - very often preventing an elderly person from having to go into residential care. So we were very pleased when the government announced a couple of years ago that they were going to allocate £150 million for carers' breaks. However, research just published by the Princess Royal Trust for Carers shows that less than a quarter of the money promised has actually been spent on respite care to allow carers a break. Indeed, almost £40 million of the first year's £50 million fund was diverted and soaked up by NHS deficits."
"I think this is an absolute betrayal of some of the most vulnerable in the commodity and unless this money in the future is ring-fenced, it looks almost certain that the remaining £100 million funding allocated for 2010 and 2011, will go the same way, i.e. anywhere but than to carers. It is appalling that even this small pledge to people who keep the NHS going with their considerable caring contributions, should not be honoured by the government"
"Carers work tirelessly, and often thanklessly looking after friends and family members and deserve the full support of the government. I am sure that this is one of the issues that we will be discussing tomorrow with the Princess Royal and I hope that ministers present will give a clear undertaking that they will get this matter sorted out immediately."
"We also need to do a lot more to support carers – young carers, carers in work, and elderly carers. The number of carers in our community is going to increase growing and together we need to work out ways of how they get proper support in the what they do."
