Over the last few weeks I’ve watched three different Welsh Government press briefings where the minister giving the briefing has been asked similar questions by Tom Magner from Carers World Live. That question being on the need for fair, accurate and timely carers needs assessments and what are the Welsh Government doing to ensure this is happening. Two of the ministers asked (Eluned Morgan – Health Minister and Jane Hutt – Minister for Social Justice) started talking about the £500 support payment for unpaid carers, but as we know this payment is only available to those claiming carers allowance and has nothing to do with carers needs assessments. The third minister (Vaughan Gething – Economy Minister and former Health Minister) did answer the questions, but basically said that due to pressures on the social care system and local authorities that assessments and getting support are taking longer then they really should. He also said that properly supported carers and those they care for would have a positive impact on the Welsh economy.

So the questions remain of will the Welsh government ever intervene rather than pass the buck to local authorities, will they start holding local authorities accountable for failing carers and those we care for and will they ever realise and/or admit that the Welsh Social Services and Wellbeing act just isn’t working in the way it was intended to?

The Health and Social Care Committee for Wales have in the past highlighted several issues with the SSWB act and the lack of proper support and respite for unpaid carers, but as of yet the Welsh Government are slow to act on these issues and make the changes highlighted by the committee. One would think that given that 96% of care in Wales is provided by unpaid carers that the Welsh Government would be keen to properly support it’s largest care asset and properly recognise the fact that we save the Welsh NHS, Social Care and the Welsh Government millions of pounds each and every year.

Of course all of the above could also be applied to any of the UK governments and not one of them seem to truly care about the issues faced by unpaid carers on a daily basis. Sure, we get the odd words of thanks during Carers Week and on Carers Rights Day, but words are not enough and we need to see far more action being taken to properly support us and those we care for.