Tag Archives: carers

Plight of carers highlighted by MP

June 20, 2013   Carers, ukcuts

Carers must not be seen as an economic burden with the Government ensuring they receive greater flexibility at work, a former health minister has urged.

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Carers must not be seen as an economic burden, Paul Burstow said

Liberal Democrat Paul Burstow said aside from the physical and emotion toll carers experience, reports suggest three million people try to balance caring responsibilities with paid work.

And Mr Burstow said studies also highlighted 2.3 million have given up work to care for someone leading to the UK economy losing £1.3 billion a year from tax revenues and benefits.

The figure devised by the London School of Economics rises to £5.3 billion a year when lost earnings are also taken into consideration.

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Mp supporting carers in Hartlepool where they teach carers about the internet

June 20, 2013   Carers, carersweek, internet

MP WRITES: Caring for the carers

IT instructor Ronald Welsh teaches carers Denise Morrison (left) and Maureen Beveridge
LAST week was Carers Week. Ever since I became an MP, I have wanted to support Carers Week and highlight the magnificent – and very often unsung work that umpteen people do for their friends and family. It is estimated that one in ten people living in this country – that’s a total of six million people – are carers.

The work that they do in helping a loved one, work that might otherwise be the responsibility of social care or the NHS, is estimated to save this country £112 billion each and every year. That is more than the annual spend on the National Health Service.

Hartlepool is a particularly special case. A big part of the Hartlepool character is to care for your loved ones.

It is just seen as being a good daughter or grandson or neighbour.

It is also the Hartlepool way that people who do this, providing a huge range of care from popping in for a cup of tea or getting somebody the paper to, let’s be frank, dealing with very personal hygiene matters, don’t want special treatment or being singled out.

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20% of people in the UK face mental illness

June 20, 2013   Carers, Depression, mental health

ONE in five Britons has faced anxiety and depression, with women reporting it more than men and the worst-afflicted age group being 50-54.

This snapshot into the nation’s sense of wellbeing comes in figures released yesterday by the Office for National Statistics.In a survey of 40,000 households, 19 per cent, reported struggling with the mental health conditions.The divorced or separated were more likely to suffer, with 27 per cent having symptoms compared with 20 per cent of those who were single, cohabiting or widowed and 16 per cent of those who were married or in a civil partnership.

Carers looking after elderly or sick loved ones were also vulnerable.
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