Health Checks for Carers

11.56.56am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 15th Aug 2006

Local health bosses have told Vincent Cable MP that they will help carers to get regular health checks in the coming years. This follows pressure from carers' groups who have published a survey showing that almost 80% of carers report health problems as a result of their caring responsibilities with only 27% ever being offered a health check. Groups like Macmillan, Crossroads, Carers UK and their local branches have all backed the campaign.

Vincent Cable said: "Having in the past had caring responsibilities, albeit not full time, I am all too well aware of the difficulties facing the 1 in 10 people who have this role. Very often an elderly man or woman is having to care for their partner whose mental or physical condition is deteriorating; but there are also children acting as carers for a sick mum or dad. Carers are invariably under psychological stress, do not get proper exercise and often neglect themselves.

"I have been in touch with the Primary Care Trust who are aware of the seriousness of the problem and have promised to step up their efforts."