Support for Carers

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:25 pm on 20 October 2020.

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Photo of David Lloyd David Lloyd Plaid Cymru 2:25, 20 October 2020

Can I thank the First Minister very much for that answer? And, in addition, an Alzheimer's Society Cymru investigation released earlier this month—the First Minister will be aware—showed that family carers across Wales are feeling burnt out, and Carers Wales have said something similar this week. The regional survey found that 95 per cent of family carers surveyed said that extra caring hours over this COVID period had negatively impacted their physical or mental health, with 69 per cent feeling constantly exhausted, 49 per cent feeling depressed and 50 per cent developing problems sleeping. Now, I hear what you say about the financial situation, and I thank you for that, First Minister. Could I you ask you what additional support the Welsh Government is putting towards addressing these findings in terms of the physical and mental well-being of informal carers, and do you agree that providing additional counselling and respite support is going to be vital to carers over the winter months?