CHESTERFIELD MP Toby Perkins is calling on GPs to register anyone who takes on a significant care role for a member of their family.

Medical professionals’ focus on the needs of the patient has often meant that the needs of those who care for them have gone unnoticed.

Mr Perkins met with staff and volunteers at the Derbyshire Carers Centre on West Bars to mark National Carers Week. He heard from the Centre’s staff and volunteers about pressures many carers face and their concern that people are struggling to cope alone.

In Derbyshire there are over 110,000 people who take on full-time care responsibilities, but just 5,000 are registered as carers.