Madam, – The Government’s decision not to publish the long promised National Carers’ Strategy is a serious setback for the 160,000 people currently caring for a loved one.
Many of those being cared for, as well as a large minority of carers, are older people. With an ageing population, and an expected fall in the number of people willing to be carers, the strategy is essential if we are to plan for the future. Family carers are an important part of the support structure enabling older people to stay in their own homes, rather than having to go into residential care.
The current economic crisis may make it difficult to implement some recommendations which carers sought, but it is not a sound reason for failing to proceed with the strategy. Surely it is in the national interest to plan for the changing needs of citizens, rather than wait until changing demographics result in an a major social and health crisis. – Yours, etc,