Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd at 2:29 pm on 9 June 2021.
Thank you, Minister. As you've noted, it is Carers Week, and I welcome your respite support package for unpaid carers, but I'm afraid that that doesn't tally with the delay in reopening day-care services. These services are one of the principal means of respite for unpaid carers, and some councils have yet to fully reopen them. I understand that Caerphilly have said that they will open facilities only on a phased basis, and they've requested advice from the Welsh Government about what process to follow to allow them to do this safely. Now, neighbouring councils like Newport have already provided day services, so I'd firstly like to know why the same guidance isn't being given to all councils. But, moreover, Minister, I'd like to stress—and I know that you'll appreciate this—the deeply draining toll that this is all taking on hundreds of families, families of people with learning disabilities or complex needs, many of whom have already had the vaccine and who rely on these services to cope and to see their friends. And their families need this respite—their role is physically and emotionally demanding. If some councils can offer this respite, how is it that some other councils are waiting on Welsh Government guidance? I just fear that the needs of carers and the harm being done to these families is getting lost somewhere.