MP SAYS CARERS DESERVE BETTER SUPPORT

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 4th Jun 2003

Sue Doughty today called for carers to be given better support at the workplace and by Guildford Borough Council. Speaking in advance of Carers Week (June 9th - 15th) Sue said "12,500 carers within the Guildford Constituency deserve better support".

"Without carers looking after their loved ones there would be massive extra demands on the NHS and social services. Over half of all carers continue to work and contribute to the local economy, often juggling their different roles with considerable difficulty.

"The main problems for many carers is the lack of flexibility at the workplace. Carers need more flexible working arrangements than is currently on offer in many cases.

"Guildford Borough Council can help as well. Many carers have told me about the problems of day-care services available only for limited period of the day, the lack of funding for replacement and short term breaks, that there is an absence of evening and weekend services in a supposed 24 hour society, and that child-care services frequently do not cater for disabled children.

"Carers contribute much through their dedicated and unpaid help and deserve our unstinting support".