Burstow hosts local Carers Forum to discuss National Strategy

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 13th Aug 2007

On the 15th July Paul Burstow MP hosted a Carers Forum, organised in conjunction with Sutton Carers Centre. The event was held in order to provide an opportunity for local carers to give their views on the next National Carers Strategy.

The current Strategy, which was launched in 1999, included a range of measures- from powers for local authorities to provide services directly to carers, to financial support for respite breaks. Eight years later many carers still suffer poverty, illness and isolation. The review, which was announced in February 2007, seeks to address these problems by conducting a national consultation on changes to the Strategy.

The workshop was well attended and plenty of ideas were suggested. Mr Burstow has compiled the results of the workshop into a report: A National Carers Strategy fit for the 21st Century, which he will present to the Health Minister Ivan Lewis MP. Mr Burstow intends to follow this up with a meeting with Mr Lewis to discuss the findings of the report and portray the views of some of Sutton's carers.

Mr Burstow is Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Carers.

Commenting on the event, Mr Burstow said:

"Over the last ten years I have been very fortunate to have worked closely with the Sutton Carers Centre. I have met and learnt a lot from carers. It has been my privilege to represent the concerns of carers in parliament."

"With three in five adults set to take on caring responsibilities at some point in their life, it is crucial that we look at the challenges Carers face and seek to support those who voluntarily care for a loved one"

"The ongoing review of the National Carers Strategy provides an opportunity to make real changes to carer's lives-the workshop provided an excellent platform to discuss how this might done from those at the front line"