Championing the cause of carers

This is an article I wrote for the Western Mail in my role as Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services, which was published today.

Deputy Social Services Minister Gwenda Thomas explains plans to improve the lives of people looking after loved ones

"AS SOMEONE who has been a carer myself for more than nine years, I know how demanding and rewarding it can be.

Like many carers, it was something I wanted to do. As a result I have a greater understanding of the invaluable role that carers play in looking after loved ones. It has highlighted how different people cope with different situations.

I was extremely lucky I had the help and support of my family and friends but not all carers are in that position.

A great deal has been done to raise awareness of the role that carers provide and more needs to be done to build on the achievements so far.

Carers make a huge difference to the lives of so many people in Wales, providing much needed support to family or friends.

It is essential that the social services, the NHS and other service providers recognise carers’ key role and engage with carers as partners.

To mark the importance placed on carers, in January 2000 we published a carers’ strategy to improve the health and well-being of carers and the people they care for.

Much work has already been done to improve the situation for carers, but a re-focused strategy was published in March this year backed with an extra £1m a year for carers’ services.

Between 2000 and 2006, the Assembly Government provided more than £28m in specific grants to local authorities to develop services for carers. This money has now been mainstreamed into local authorities’ revenue support grant.

Projects approved under the carers’ grant included respite services, help around the house, young carers’ projects and information services. This was boosted in 2006-07 by the mental health carers’ grant and by the announcement of an extra £9m capital funding over two years to support around 10,000 people with telecare technology, which will help vulnerable people to be safe at home and £3m a year to provide extra support for carers of people who have mental health problems.

Before joining the Assembly, I chaired the social services committee at the former West Glamorgan County Council and later at Neath Port Talbot Council. Before that I worked for the Courts Service and Benefits Agency. This made clear to me that there was often a cycle of poverty, debt and dependence on benefits and that this was an intergeneration issue for many vulnerable people. We are working to address this.

In June last year, the then deputy Health and Social Services Minister John Griffiths was appointed as carers’ champion. I was pleased to assume this role in May this year.

In his short time as champion, John achieved a lot with the publication of the action plan for carers. He highlighted the importance of wider carers’ issues within the Assembly Government and focussed attention beyond health and social services.

I intend to build on John’s achievements. Next year, as a result of the One Wales document, we will be reviewing the UK Government’s carers’ strategy and looking to bring forward legislation to cover carers’ rights.

Each local health board in Wales also has a carer member. The involvement of carers on LHBs is intended to ensure that carers’ issues are better understood and are taken into account in local service planning and commissioning.

December 7 will mark carers rights day and this is an excellent opportunity to make carers aware of their rights.

Later this year, we hope to appoint a new Children’s Commissioner following the death of Peter Clarke earlier this year and also to appoint the first Older Person’s Commissioner. Both will have a role to play for championing the rights of carers.

By working closely with colleagues in government, the health service, local authorities and the voluntary sector I am determined to improve the quality of life for carers and those they care for.