Carers must be at the heart of new NHS plans

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers is concerned that the NHS is to be given greater responsibility for social care under plans expected to be announced by the government in the coming days.

Carole Cochrane, Chief Executive at The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, says: “Any transfer of social care to the NHS from councils must not be at the expense of unpaid family carers.

“Six million people in the UK provide care for a relative or friend who is sick, disabled or frail, and often they provide more frontline care than the NHS. They do this with far too little support and recognition and our research shows that overall the NHS are neglecting carers’ needs.”

The Trust recently carried out research that demonstrates that the NHS is failing to implement the National Carers Strategy by not doubling support for carers and not prioritising carers support in many areas, even though they have specific funding to do so.

Carole adds: “If responsibility for social care is to be transferred to the NHS, The Trust calls on the government for a cast-iron guarantee that support for carers and their families will be placed at the heart of the new service. “

For further information, please contact Sarah Ross, PR Manager at The Princess Royal Trust for Carers on 0208 498 7920 / 07791 230 694 / sross@carers.org.