The Standing Commission on Carers has published its first annual report, ‘Carers at the heart of 21st century families and communities - work in progress'

The report highlights good progress over the past year in the Government's drive to improve support for Carers. Schemes like the National Caring with Confidence training programme and Carers Direct, the one-stop-shop online information service for Carers are helping Carers

The report calls on the Government to continue its work setting out future challenges and opportunities, and offering recommendations and suggestions for the Government, delivery partners and the next phase of the Commission.  These include:

• Encouraging the Department for Work and Pensions to set out its timetable for welfare reform and in particular its plans to review Carers' benefits.
• Asking health ministers, in the next planning round for the NHS Operating Framework (2011/12 onwards), to consider according support for Carers a higher status, building on the higher profile for Carers in the 2009/10 - 2010/11 period.
• Requesting the Department of Health to consider prioritising flu vaccinations to Carers with significant and complex caring responsibilities, which would help to reduce the risk of them falling ill at times when their care is needed most.
• Recommending that the next phase of the Standing Commission works with the Department of Health and the NHS to gather evidence of how the new resources available to Primary Care Trusts have been spent and on the cost-benefits and improved health outcomes of supporting Carers in their caring roles, including the provision of breaks.
• Encouraging the Government Equalities Office to seek to ensure that the needs of Carers are fully acknowledged at every stage of the Equality Bill, and that the risk of discrimination and disadvantage because of their caring roles is recognised and addressed.

Commenting on the publication of the report, the chair of the Commission, Dame Philippa Russell DBE, said:
'The Standing Commission has given Carers a voice at the heart of Government and we must use that opportunity to full effect over the next decade. This report is a key part of our role in scrutinising and supporting the Carers Strategy, and I hope that the Government and others will take notice of its recommendations. I look forward to working with all those involved in the delivery of the Strategy to help drive the Carers' agenda.'

Phil Hope, Minister for Care Services at the Department of Health, said:
‘Carers play an absolutely vital role in our communities. I'm pleased that progress is being made towards our vision where Carers are respected as care experts and have access to high quality support services. Initiatives like Carers Direct, which provides online advice and information, are already helping Carers on the front line and through our consultation on ‘Shaping the Future of Care Together' we are listening to Carers and paving the way for real change.

‘I would like to thank Dame Philippa and the members of the Standing Commission for this report and will carefully consider its recommendations.'