Care for Young Carers

Health and Social Care – in the House of Commons at on 10 March 2020.

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Photo of Jim Shannon Jim Shannon Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Human Rights), Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Health)

What recent estimate he has made of the number of GP practices that have adopted the care for young carers package.

Photo of Helen Whately Helen Whately Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England outlined the care for young carers offer in GP surgeries in June 2019. The offer includes a package of practical plans and actions to help young carers. Uptake will be monitored at a regional level in England through integrated care systems.

Photo of Jim Shannon Jim Shannon Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Human Rights), Shadow DUP Spokesperson (Health)

I am grateful for the Minister’s response. However, can she further break down the number of surgeries that have offered priority appointments for carers for home visits and additional mental health checks, and double appointments for the carer and those they provide for? What is she doing to see this rolled out in every GP surgery throughout the nation, bearing in mind that 40% of carers struggle with their own mental health?

Photo of Helen Whately Helen Whately Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

My hon. Friend makes a really important point about support for carers and young carers. I cannot answer on the details of his question right now, but I will take it away, talk to the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend Jo Churchill, who is responsible for primary care, and the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend Ms Dorries, who is responsible for mental health, and come up with a better answer for him.