Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:53 pm on 13 June 2018.
It is clear that carers play a vital role in our society. Whether it is financially or socially, the contribution made by carers simply cannot be understated. Not only are more people caring, but they are caring for longer. And the number of people needing care and those needing care for longer periods of time has increased significantly. It is imperative therefore that we recognise the extent to which our economy relies on unpaid care provided by families and friends.
Deputy Presiding Officer, I'm hearing all these colleagues here. My wife has been disabled for the last 12 years and very recently she had a stroke. No carer—I and my family are looking after her day after day. What we do, we put, actually, her medicine, which she has to take five times a day, in different pots, put the timings on it, and then, when I come here, I put an alarm on her mobile phone and the mobile near her. She has problems getting up in the morning—that is another thing. She cannot get up. For the last 12 years, I haven't seen a holiday, the reason being I can't leave her alone. She looks as fit as a fiddle, but in a real sense she's totally disabled. Her body takes a lot of medicine a day. As a matter of fact, I can imagine—. What carers are doing in this country is one of the most noble jobs, unpaid, for their loved ones. I don't think the nation can pay them enough, with youngsters between 12 and 18—one in 20 of our youngsters are actually missing school because they are caring for their loved ones. I am sure my daughter—actually, when she comes home, then I go on Assembly tours and other things. Otherwise, I cannot leave the country.
If just a small proportion of people providing care were no longer able to do so, the cost burden would be substantial. This debate this afternoon is about supporting carers so they are able to continue to do the vital work that we value so highly. I wish to address my remarks this afternoon to one aspect of this support: the right to flexible, high-quality respite. If you are a carer looking after a family member or friend, it is highly rewarding but also extremely demanding. A break, even if just for a few days, can boost your energy levels and enthusiasm. Just knowing that you are able to escape for a break is a great incentive, particularly when you are confident that the person you care for will be well looked after in your absence.
But, as Carers Trust recently told the Finance Committee, it can be particularly difficult for carers to access respite care, despite their right to do so. The trust went on to suggest that funding for short breaks and respite should be ring-fenced by local authorities as a part of a long-term funding stream. This would be co-ordinated by the third sector and delivered in partnership with local authorities and local health boards. Carers Trust estimates that a carers well-being fund, similar to the short breaks fund in Scotland, would be an invest-to-save preventative measure. They claim—I quote—investing
'£1.4 million a year would...generate over 53,000 hours of additional breaks for carers'.
This would have a huge impact on their health and well-being but also the sustainability of caring for increasingly complex needs at home. In return for a relatively small investment, this fund
'would have the long-term benefit of helping mitigate against additional or unsustainable demand on local health and social care services.'
I recognise the Welsh Government is committed to introducing and developing a national respite strategy. They have pledged £3 million of additional funding to support local authorities to provide respite care. But progress against the commitment has been slow and we do not yet know how this funding has been used by local authorities.
Deputy Presiding Officer, an impact assessment published by the department of health in England in October 2014 suggested that every £1 spent on supporting carers would save councils £1.47 in replacement care costs and benefit the wider health system by £7.88. Carers are doing more than ever to support others. It is for us to ensure that they get the support and recognition they need and deserve in Wales. Thank you.