Oral Answers to Questions

Duncan Hames Excerpts

Tuesday 26th November 2013 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD)]

1. What steps he is taking to improve signposting to support and information for carers by health bodies and local authorities.

[The Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman Lamb)]

The Care Bill will require local authorities to ensure that information and advice is available to their local populations, including carers, and to co-operate with health bodies in fulfilling this function. The Bill will extend carers’ rights to an assessment of their needs so that carers receive appropriate support and signposting to local services.

[Duncan Hames]

I welcome those measures in the Care Bill to support carers, but for them to benefit from that support, they first need to be identified. It is estimated that only one in 20 carers of people with cancer, for example, receives a carer’s assessment. How does the Minister propose to get local authorities to work with the NHS and other health bodies to identify carers and ensure that their needs do not go unnoticed?

[Norman Lamb]

The Care Bill will introduce a right to an assessment for all carers, which I think is an incredibly important advance for them. We are also giving money—£1.5 million—to the Royal College of General Practitioners and other bodies, including nursing bodies, to raise awareness of the vital role of carers in working with GPs to improve the care of those who need it.