Rare Diseases: Carers
(asked on 22nd July 2020) - View Source
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish a separate strategy for supporting families and carers of people with rare diseases, including support for their (a) mental health, (b) relationships, and (c) professional careers.
The Government recognises the vital role unpaid carers play, especially during this difficult period now more than ever.
In June 2018, the Government published its cross-Government Carers Action Plan 2018-2020 to increase identification, recognition and support for unpaid carers. It sets out a two-year programme of targeted work to support unpaid carers. It puts a focus on practical actions and gives visibility to the work already underway or planned within Government. The action plan is available at the following link:
Good progress has been made towards fulfilling the commitments set out in the Carers Action Plan. Last July we published the ‘Carers Action Plan: 1-year progress review’ which showcases some of the key commitments we made within the action plan and is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/carers-action-plan-2018-to-2020-1-year-progress-review
As work within the Carers Action Plan comes to an end this year, we plan to produce a final report and steps outlining the next phase of work supporting unpaid carers.
The Government has no plans to publish a separate strategy for supporting families and carers of people with rare diseases.