25 Respite care — a postcode lottery?
Matter for discussion submitted by the RCN Ethics Forum
That this meeting of RCN Congress discusses the impact on ‘informal’ carers when properly resourced respite care is unavailable
- Work led by the Nursing Development Committee
- Lead RCN Council member: Gerry Bolger
The discussion at Congress 2007 highlighted the burden of care undertaken by an enormous number of informal carers, and the impact that this hard and ceaseless work can have on their health. In 2007 the RCN, together with the Princess Royal Carers Trust and the Royal College of General Practitioners, initiated the development of literature intended for general practice informing carers how to access help to make their lives easier.
In all four UK countries, the RCN has engaged in every opportunity to highlight the special needs of carers in relevant consultations; the most recent being the Darzi Review in England, which reinforces the need to expand community services, so care can be provided closer to home. In his first days as Prime Minister, Gordon Brown announced the creation of a Commission for Carers, which the RCN will seek to be involved in once this is possible. RCN Wales has supported the One Wales coalition agreement of the Welsh Assembly, which aims to better support the many unpaid carers in Wales. In Scotland, 2002 legislation aims to ensure that unpaid carers get the help and support they need, and Scottish ministers have the power to require NHS Boards to have strategies in place for informing carers about their rights.
Since 2006, Northern Ireland has had a carers’ strategy in place which includes a commitment to financing respite care.
During 2007 the King’s Fund invited the RCN to become partners in its work on 'the provision of social care for older people', which makes reference to the work carried out by carers. RCN staff and members attended the various seminars held by the King’s Fund, and will consider its forthcoming report on the findings of these events.