Neath Guardian Column: Assembly Diary - 3 January 2008

As well as being Neath’s Assembly Member and the Deputy Minister for Social Services, I also have the privilege of being the Welsh Assembly Government’s champion for carers'.

During my time as a county councillor, I was the first female chair of the social services committee at West Glamorgan Council and then at Neath Port Talbot Council, until my election as AM for Neath in 1999. I had a lot to do with carers in these roles.

Having cared for my mother for nine years until she died aged 86 in 1999, I was able to share my experiences with colleagues in local government. While I was looking after my mother, I became very aware of what it means to be a carer. My mother became more dependent as she became older, and my family was very grateful for the support of home carers.

A Welsh carer’s strategy action plan was published in March 2007. Since my appointment, I have been continuing to implement that action plan. This year, we will be reviewing our action plan in light of the UK-wide review of the 1999 national carer’s strategy, which we also want to feed in to and then bring in legislation on carers' rights. The latter will have respite care as a top priority.

I am very keen to further strengthen the rights of carers, taking into consideration their dignity and how their lives are affected when they become carers. Many give up full-time work and there is often a gap between the allowance they receive for being a carer and what they were earning before. It's now time to look at the financial implications of caring as well as the social and health implications.

The First Minister will appoint Wales’ first commissioner for older people in the next few weeks. In my role as carers' champion, I will work very closely with the new commissioner to ensure that carers get the respect and recognition that they deserve.

If you wish to contact me, please contact my constituency office in Pontardawe on 01792 869993 or e-mail gwenda.thomas@wales.gov.uk. You can also keep up-to-date with my activities as your AM by logging on to http://www.gwendathomas.com/