"My Lords, the Health and Care Act 2022 requires NHS trusts to involve patients and unpaid carers in discharge planning, reinforced by 2024 discharge guidance. However, this is not always done consistently and carer involvement is not monitored nationally. We will support better implementation by commissioning work from the LGA’s …..." Baroness Merron - View Speech
"I completely agree with my noble friend that the involvement of and support to unpaid carers is crucial when a patient is discharged because, as she says, it is vital not just for patient recovery but for the whole healthcare system. I welcome the recent Carers UK report that was …..." Baroness Merron - View Speech
"The noble Lord is right to emphasise the role that many children and young people have as young carers. The Children’s Social Care National Framework is statutory guidance for local authorities, which have duties to identify young carers who may need support and to assess their needs. I am well …..." Baroness Merron - View Speech
"I know the noble Lord will be aware of the better care fund, to which there is a commitment of some £9 billion. It can be used in various ways, including in the way that he described. I look forward to the work of the LGA’s better care fund support …..." Baroness Merron - View Speech
"My noble friend makes exactly the right points. We certainly recognise the vital role that unpaid carers play in supporting those who are to be discharged. Decisions about staffing and the approach—I emphasise that a multidisciplinary approach is clearly needed here—are a matter for local areas, but I can say …..." Baroness Merron - View Speech
"The whole system needs to do better, as the noble Lord outlines. It will be helpful that we are also looking at commissioning research in this area to look at best practice, as well as barriers and solutions, regarding the involvement of unpaid carers—I think that has been somewhat overlooked, …..." Baroness Merron - View Speech
"I can see the pressure and difficulties that can bring. There is a range of reasons why discharges do not take place in a timely fashion—not just processes but the interface between health and social care, and capacity. As we look at how we involve carers and improve discharge rates, …..." Baroness Merron - View Speech
"I am very grateful to the noble Lord. I and the Government are certainly cognisant of the role that unpaid carers play. That is why, last year, we increased the carer’s allowance weekly earnings limit. This was the largest cash increase ever and means that 60,000 additional carers will qualify. …..." Baroness Merron - View Speech
"When we develop digital approaches, I have to say again that the figures speak for themselves on, for example, patient satisfaction with general practice: people believe it is finally moving in the right direction. According to the Office for National Statistics, some 77% of people described contacting their GP as …..." Baroness Merron - View Speech
"The right reverend Prelate is right to raise this. We have been very concerned for some time about the inequalities in coastal areas and areas of greatest need, where healthy life expectancy is the lowest. That includes communities with higher deprivation levels. That is why we began our reforms last …..." Baroness Merron - View Speech