Key Milestone For Carers LCO, Wales

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 24 Nov 2009 - 0:00 PST

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The Welsh Assembly Government's plan to gain more powers to support carers in Wales has received Royal approval.

The Carers' Legislative Competence Order (LCO) will enable the Assembly Government to bring forward legislation on carers by way of Assembly Measures.

The first of these Measures, as announced by the First Minister earlier this year, will focus on two key areas: the provision of information for carers and improving joint working between agencies to ensure that there is more effective engagement with carers.

To help inform the development of options for the proposed Measure an expert advisory group has been established. The group's report is currently being considered by the Deputy Minister.

The Deputy Minister said: "I am delighted that we have received Royal approval for the Carers' LCO today as this will now enable us to address the current deficiencies in service provision for carers in Wales. The granting of this legislative competence will enable us to carry forward our One Wales commitment on carers.

"The Welsh Assembly will now be able to move forward and introduce a range of measures specifically designed to support the needs of carers and to help maintain their health and wellbeing which in turn will benefit the lives of the people they care for."

Notes

- The Stakeholder Advisory Group was established by the Deputy Minister in June 2009 and consisted of representatives from Local Government, NHS, carers' organisations, private sector providers and voluntary sector providers.

- Wales[ taken from 2001 census] has a higher proportion of carers than any English region

- Unpaid carers in Wales provide around 70% of care in the community.

- The forecasted demographic changes of an increasing ageing population and reducing birth rates suggests that the pool of potential carers is likely to decrease in the medium term .

Source
Welsh Assembly Government