CARERS WEEK, 12th TO 18th JUNE 2006

Early day motion 2043, tabled 26 April 2006 by Chris McCafferty (Labour). Signed by 295 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 carers are unknown to statutory agencies; notes that Carers Week, being held this year from 12th to 18th June, has the theme of carers and health, with 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 79 per cent. of carers say that their health has been affected by caring; further notes that nine out of 10 carers believe they will benefit from annual health checks; and calls on local statutory health bodies to carry out an audit of good practice in their area and to establish timescales for the introduction of health checks for carers.

Signatures by party: Labour 163, Conservative 62, Liberal Democrat 52, DUP 8, Plaid Cymru 3, Scottish National Party 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Independent 1, Respect 1.