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Carers have no reason to cheer the Queen's speech Carers have no reason to cheer the Queen's speech
(5 months later)
I have been a carer for 25 years and heard many announcements of measures to assist those supporting sick and disabled relatives and friends. I am not impressed by the Queen's speech, which gives carers the legal right to support from their local council.I have been a carer for 25 years and heard many announcements of measures to assist those supporting sick and disabled relatives and friends. I am not impressed by the Queen's speech, which gives carers the legal right to support from their local council.
On paper, carers already have an impressive set of rights. "As a carer you have specific legal rights and entitlements", says the NHS website. These include: "The right to have your needs assessed by your local authority; the right to receive direct payments so that you can chose what services to have, and rights in the workplace."On paper, carers already have an impressive set of rights. "As a carer you have specific legal rights and entitlements", says the NHS website. These include: "The right to have your needs assessed by your local authority; the right to receive direct payments so that you can chose what services to have, and rights in the workplace."
A whole decade ago, Fair Access to Care Services guidance made it clear that councils arranging social care should offer enough support to meet users' main physical and social needs and not make assumptions about what carers are able and willing to provide. Since then, there has been growing recognition of the right of disabled people to participate fully in community life and the importance of involving carers in decisions that affect us too.A whole decade ago, Fair Access to Care Services guidance made it clear that councils arranging social care should offer enough support to meet users' main physical and social needs and not make assumptions about what carers are able and willing to provide. Since then, there has been growing recognition of the right of disabled people to participate fully in community life and the importance of involving carers in decisions that affect us too.
Yet in practice social care and key NHS community services have been struggling to cope as resources have failed to keep up with the number of people requiring support. Even when the economy was doing well, less glamorous types of care tended to be a lower priority than hi-tech medical treatment, and ongoing prejudice against those most reliant on support made it easier to squeeze such services, putting increased pressure on carers' time and energy.Yet in practice social care and key NHS community services have been struggling to cope as resources have failed to keep up with the number of people requiring support. Even when the economy was doing well, less glamorous types of care tended to be a lower priority than hi-tech medical treatment, and ongoing prejudice against those most reliant on support made it easier to squeeze such services, putting increased pressure on carers' time and energy.
Carers' finances too are often stretched, if those we care for cannot afford to meet the cost of needs relating to their impairment or health problem, for instance extra heating or equipment. Carers under retirement age who have had to give up paid work receive a meagre allowance.Carers' finances too are often stretched, if those we care for cannot afford to meet the cost of needs relating to their impairment or health problem, for instance extra heating or equipment. Carers under retirement age who have had to give up paid work receive a meagre allowance.
When the economic crisis hit, things got tighter still. They have become yet worse under this government. In particular, local authority funding has been slashed, with dire consequences.When the economic crisis hit, things got tighter still. They have become yet worse under this government. In particular, local authority funding has been slashed, with dire consequences.
On the day of the Queen's speech, a survey by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services found that councils in England were likely to have to cut almost one-fifth of the total budget over three years – with further drastic cuts expected in the next two years. Statistics cannot, however, convey the human cost, including stress, isolation and sometimes exhaustion, and strain on relationships as disabled people are forced to rely too heavily on one or two relatives or friends.On the day of the Queen's speech, a survey by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services found that councils in England were likely to have to cut almost one-fifth of the total budget over three years – with further drastic cuts expected in the next two years. Statistics cannot, however, convey the human cost, including stress, isolation and sometimes exhaustion, and strain on relationships as disabled people are forced to rely too heavily on one or two relatives or friends.
A report this month by Carers UK paints a stark picture of the state of caring in 2013. Many carers are cutting down on food, heating and seeing friends and family because of lack of money. And 84% of carers surveyed said that caring has a negative impact on their own health, up from 74% in 2011/12.A report this month by Carers UK paints a stark picture of the state of caring in 2013. Many carers are cutting down on food, heating and seeing friends and family because of lack of money. And 84% of carers surveyed said that caring has a negative impact on their own health, up from 74% in 2011/12.
The pledge to cap care costs, also part of the care bill announced in the Queen's speech, will benefit carers who are caring for someone who, at some point, requires residential care.The pledge to cap care costs, also part of the care bill announced in the Queen's speech, will benefit carers who are caring for someone who, at some point, requires residential care.
Yet brutal measures such as sanctions punishing jobseekers who have caring responsibilities are making life more unpleasant for many carers, and in some instances sabotaging caring, which may prove expensive to society in the long term.The hostility whipped up against disabled people can affect us carers too.Yet brutal measures such as sanctions punishing jobseekers who have caring responsibilities are making life more unpleasant for many carers, and in some instances sabotaging caring, which may prove expensive to society in the long term.The hostility whipped up against disabled people can affect us carers too.
A few crumbs are better than nothing from a government that really takes the biscuit. However, this carer, and probably many others, will not be applauding the Queen's speech.A few crumbs are better than nothing from a government that really takes the biscuit. However, this carer, and probably many others, will not be applauding the Queen's speech.
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