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Many PCTs failing carers

The NHS has failed to increase the level of spending on services supporting carers, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers revealed today in a report titled “NHS not making the break for carers”. In November, last year, the Government had allocated an extra £400m over four years (2011-2015) to provide support for carers. However, the findings published today by The Trust and Crossroads Care show that in fact there may have been a small decrease in the support provided to carers.

Moira Fraser from The Trust met with the Health Minister, Paul Burstow, earlier this week to discuss the findings of the report. According to a blog by Gordon Conochie, the joint Policy officer at The Trust and Crossroads, the Health Minister, Paul Burstow, is taking this report seriously and will act to increase the expectations on PCTs. Burstow has the backing of the Prime Minister who had requested an investigation into how PCTs were spending the additional money.

Liz Fenton, Chief Executive of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, says: ‘We’re glad to see that some PCTs have greatly increased their level of investment in services for carers.

'However, there is a minority of PCTs still not investing anything at all, or a very small amount, in supporting carers. We understand that PCTs are under financial pressure - but strongly caution that failing to support carers does not make economic sense and is morally indefensible.'

The research shows that a vast majority of PCTs have even defied Government by not publishing plans and budgets as was requested. Only 13% of PCTs have published budgets for 2011/12.

According to previous stats from The Trust, only 4% of carers report getting a break in their own home while only 8% get a break away from home.

Anne Roberts, Chief Executive of Crossroads Care, adds: ‘We need PCTs to be upfront and transparent about how they budget their support for carers. We believe the only way local decision making can be effective and fully accountable is if local people, including carers and carers’ organisations, have the information they need to hold their decision makers to account.’

Gordon's policy blog on "NHS fails to increase support for carers"

Give Carers a Break campaign

Comments

i am looking after my husband

by elainebiles (not verified) on 14th February 2012

i am looking after my husband of 64 with FTD behaviour variant.picks. i have lots of people helping me on phone and E.mail etc and form filling in but what has become obvious that there is no real help for me as a carer i need respite desparately and it is not here.i also look after my Father who is 90 and has many problems. one of these days i will flip as i have no help and cpn says there is nowhere for my husband to go as he is too young.nursing.homes only want them if they are sedated and sleeping.sorry but its the truth.i know many people in my position find somewhere for them to go only to find in a few weeks they have acall to say remove them.we need special homes for these loved ones of ours.