Mary calls for support for Wakefield carers

Wakefield MP Mary Creagh wrote to NHS Wakefield District on 1 June to find out what support is on offer to the district’s 32,000 unpaid carers.

In June 2008, the Labour government announced that £150 million would be allocated to Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) over two years to fund breaks for carers. The commitment to fund breaks for carers was confirmed by the Tory-led government in November 2010.

Since then, however, the Department of Health has failed to publish how much money has been provided to PCTs to help support carers.

In the letter to Wakefield NHS Chief Executive, Mary said: “My concern is that in a climate of budget cuts and job losses it may be difficult for each PCT to keep track of this money. I am worried that this fund might be diverted into meeting other needs, and that it might not be spent on helping carers take the breaks they need.”

She added: “I hope Wakefield District PCT will be publishing a plan indicating how you will be spending this money on supporting carers. I would be interested to hear about the work you are doing to support carers in our area. I would appreciate an early response to this. Carers’ Week 2011 is 13th-19th June, and this would be a good opportunity to let carers know how they can apply for help.”

For more information on Carers Week visit carersweek.org

Mary’s Carers Week statement is now available at carersweek.org/parlimentary/mps-who-support-carers/item/511-wakefield