Burstow praises carers and calls on council and NHS to implement new Carers Act

3.08.19pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 21st Oct 2004

Sutton and Cheam MP, Paul Burstow, opened a special conference for black and ethnic minority carers at the Granfers Community Centre in Oakhill Road on Sunday. He was invited to open the day of talks and practical workshops because of his work for carers in Parliament and his sponsorship of the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 which he helped to pilot through the House of Commons.

The day was organised by the Sutton Carers Centre and involved over 60 carers from Sutton, Merton, Kingston and Richmond. During the day a variety of informal seminars, panel discussions, workshops were held on for carers including, massage, aromatherapy, yoga and Tai-Chi, African hair plaiting, health checks, and an Asian lunch.

Paul Burstow MP said: "Carers are the backbone of our care system, without them the NHS and social services could not cope. The new Carers Act strengthens the rights of carers to help when they need it.

"For the first time the law says Council's must take into account a carers wish to carry on working, or take part in education or training. Carers must have the chance of a life outside their caring role.

"In Sutton there are over 16,000 carers, probably more, yet the authorities know about around 3,000. GPs, health visitors, teachers all have a part to play in identifing carers."

ENDS