Carers Rights Day call
Stevenage MP Barbara Follett has called on the 7,000+ people in Stevenage who look after a sick, frail or disabled relative or partner to see whether they are getting all of the support they are entitled to by checking out a new booklet, the Carers Rights Guide.
Her comments were made to coincide with Carers Rights Day on 3rd December, a national awareness day organised by Carers UK. The aim of the day is to inform carers of the benefits and services available and recent changes to these.
Mrs Follett said "It is a real concern that carers in my constituency may not be getting all the help they are entitled to. Carers are entitled to support - they save the country a fortune and without them the NHS and social care would collapse. Yet they are missing out on vital support, which puts their own health at risk."
"Carers UK's research shows us that carers' own health can suffer as a result of the stresses of caring, so it is vital that carers know their rights, to ensure that they get the benefits and support they need. A staggering 2.3 million people in the UK become carers every year. Many people who become carers do not know what help is available and that's why initiatives like Carers Rights Day are so important”.
Further information is available from the Carers UK hotline on 020 8880 8125 and their website –
www.carersuk.org. Carers with internet access can claim Carer's Allowance online at:
www.dwp.gov.uk/carersallowance/index.asp.
Issued: 02.12.04
Further information
Please contact Faye Bunch via the 'Contact' page, or by fax on 020 7219 1158.
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