Carers UK: Immediate financial help needed
Tuesday, 10 Jun 2008 13:58
While a new deal for carers is welcome, immediate financial help for people looking after friends and family members is needed urgently, Carers UK has said.
Its comments follow a £225 million strategy published by the government that aims to help the lives of the UK's six million carers.
Carers UK chief executive Imelda Redmond described the plans as "an important step forward for carers" that has a number of "groundbreaking new initiatives".
But she added that the charity is "disappointed" there is no immediate financial help for carers.
"Many carers will be frustrated that they will have to wait again for the financial help they desperately need," Ms Redmond explained.
"We will be asking the government to begin the review immediately."
She added: "The NHS will also be required to look after carers better. With new money for training in carer awareness, joined up working with local government and health checks for carers, we will be expecting better engagement from health professionals.
"A lack of information is one of the biggest problems for carers. Accurate local information, combined with a top quality national helpline, could provide the lifeline that carers need."