Building a better future for carers

The Standing Commission on Carers has made a number of recommendations in its first annual report to support implementation of the carers strategy.

Set up in 2007, the commission is an independent advisory body providing expert advice to ministers and the Carers Strategy Cross Government Programme Board, on progress in delivering the national carers strategy.

The report summarises progress to date against each of the main themes of the strategy, and highlights future challenges and opportunities. It also recommends actions and makes suggestions for the government, delivery partners and the next stage of the commission.

Recommendations for Primary Care Trusts and councils include:

• ensuring ongoing support and sustainable funding for local information services through their local strategic partnerships and local area agreements
• developing further capacity for providing training courses at a local level so carers can participate effectively in a wider range of activities, including inspection teams, Local Involvement Networks (LINks), local strategic partnerships and the development and review of local area agreements
• consideration by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and the Local Government Association, of how best to ensure transformation and partnership work are achieving the desired outcomes at local levels, and whether there are any resource issues
• that the NHS Care Records Service Programme Board explore if better use can be made of the carers’ information held on record, for example to improve information sharing about carers’ health.
  
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