Carers wait anxiously for new rights

Friday 6 February is a crucial day for the nation’s six million carers. The new Carers (Equal Opportunities) Bill is due to have its Second Reading -which could determine whether the Bill stands or falls as the aims and objectives of the Bill are aired and debated.

The Private Member’s Bill has been brought forward by Dr Hywel Francis, MP for Aberavon, who drew second place in December 2003’s ballot. Dr Francis has dubbed it ’Sam’s Bill’ in the name of his disabled son, whom he and his wife Mair cared for until he died at the age of 16.

The Bill already has cross-party support and the support of several Peers in the House of Lords. The 11 co-sponsors of the Bill include MPs from the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Ulster Unionist parties and Plaid Cymru.

Covering England and Wales, the Bill seeks to achieve three main rights:

that carers are systematically given information about their rights, including their entitlements, in order that they can make informed decisions and choices in their lives.

that carers’ health, in its broadest sense, is positively considered by social services departments and health bodies.

that carers are given more opportunities in leisure, education, training and employment.

These aims would be achieved by placing:

a duty on social services to promote equality of opportunity for carers, particularly in relation to their health and well-being. This would include such things as flexibility to allow carers to work, have a break or enter training or life-long learning opportunities

a duty on local authorities to tell carers about their rights to an assessment

a duty on health and social services to promote and safeguard the health and welfare of carers

a duty on other parts of a local authority, such as education and housing, to ensure they work with social services in delivering the aims of the Bill.

Imelda Redmond, Acting Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: This Bill is so close to the hearts of so many carers in England and Wales. Our research has shown time and again the impact that caring can have on your life. Many carers providing substantial amounts of care have had to give up work. They find it hard to get information about services and often their health suffers with the stress of it all. With carers saving the state an estimated 57 billion a year, it is vital their own health and well-being is valued. That is why it is so important that Hywel Francis’s Bill is successful.

Since I launched my Bill on Monday 26 January 2004, I’ve been amazed by the strength and breadth of support it has received, says Dr Hywel Francis MP. The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, was positive about the Bill saying that he would ’look very carefully’ at the proposals. At the launch the Health Minister, Dr Stephen Ladyman MP, agreed with me that carers should have the opportunity to lead their own lives. He promised to work hard to achieve a successful outcome.

The campaign is being supported by British Gas, a forerunner in supporting carers and providing positive employment policies to help them combine work with care.