Carers Scotland welcomes more breaks for carers

Responding to the announcement, Patrick Begley, Director of Carers Scotland said:

"For many carers this will provide evidence that the Scottish Government recognises the immense contribution that carers make not just to the health and care system and to the people they care for but also to the economy often at a cost to their own health, finances and wellbeing.  Carers currently save the Scottish economy £7.6 billion each year.

Carers have repeatedly identified breaks from caring as one of their highest priorities.  Carers have also identified the significant benefits to their health and wellbeing from even short, regular breaks. 

Sadly however, many carers struggle to get a break from caring. A recent survey  found that an alarming 75% of carers had not had a regular break from their caring activities in the past 12 months - including 38% who had not enjoyed a single day off.   When one considers that 110,000 carers are providing over 50 hours of care each week, the impact emotionally, socially and physically can have significant negative consequences.

We also know that the provision of and access to breaks from caring is a patchwork quilt across Scotland – a real postcode lottery.  We hope that this investment, alongside the new guidance to local authorities will ensure that more carers have better access to breaks from caring that are tailored to individual needs and circumstances.

The announcement today provides a sound platform from which to develop a coordinated strategy across local and national government, ensuring that carers are provided with one of the key planks they require to continue their caring role."

Ends

Further information

1.  10,000 extra weeks of respite each year for carers will be delivered in a phased approach over 3 years:

• 2,000 extra respite weeks in 2008-09
• 6,000 extra respite weeks in 2009-10
• 10,000 weeks in 2010-11

2.  For further information click here to read the Scottish Government press release. (external link)