CARERS WEEK

Early day motion 955, tabled 31 March 2004 by Clare Short (Labour). Signed by 252 members.

That this House expresses its admiration for the six million people in the UK who provide unpaid help and support to a relative or friend who could not otherwise manage because of frailty, illness or disability; is concerned that large numbers of these carers are unknown to the statutory agencies; therefore welcomes the organisation of Carers Week, being held this year from 14th to 20th June, with the theme of carers and health and the objective of assisting carers and enabling them to access support and services; believes that carers need to be viewed as key partners in community care; is further concerned that two-thirds of carers who provide care for more than 50 hours per week say that their health has been affected by caring; notes that while carers are frequent users of general practitioners and primary care services, there is much work needed in primary care to identify patients who are carers; further notes that the unpaid work carried out by carers annually saves the Exchequer ú57 billion; and calls for the provision of better support and services for carers.

Signatures by party: Labour 142, Conservative 41, Liberal Democrat 36, Labour/Co-operative 14, DUP 6, Plaid Cymru 4, Scottish National Party 4, UUP 3, Independent 1, Independent Conservative 1.