Carers are the ‘invisible army’ that supports millions of
relatives and friends who cannot look after themselves.
- There are an estimated 6 million carers in the UK
- 13 million people can expect to become carers over the next
decade
- 1 in 10 adults in the UK is a carer, and nearly half are
men
- 80% of carers say that caring has had an adverse effect on
their health
The Royal College of Psychiatrists and The Princess Royal
Trust for Carers have joined together to mount a year-long campaign
designed to help carers of people with mental health problems and
learning disabilities.
The campaign will be launched on January 13th 2004 in the
presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. It will
highlight the problems faced by carers of all ages, including
children and adolescents, and will aim to encourage constructive
partnerships between carers, patients and professionals.
Carers play a vital role in looking after, and promoting the
well-being of, people with mental health problems and learning
disabilities, and the campaign will emphasise that carers’
responsibilities need greater recognition.
Unfortunately, carers themselves can suffer from mental health
problems, often because of lack of support. They need to know that
specialist help is available for them.
Partners in Care plans a number of campaign activities during
2004, including a booklet on confidentiality; leaflets on mental
health problems aimed at carers and also at the professionals who
deal with them; a training video and CD-ROM; a booklet for young
carers; a Christmas debate for young people; checklists for carers,
patients and professionals to let them know what questions they
need to ask; training for professionals; and regional and local
activities to generate interest and help promote the campaign
across the country.
“It is estimated that, overall, carers save the government £57
billion each year,” says Dr. Mike Shooter, President of the Royal
College of Psychiatrists and Co-Chair of the campaign. “Yet they
struggle for recognition and help for themselves.
“Mental health professionals need to understand that carers
carry the most intimate responsibility for the patient’s welfare.
Their voice in decision making about
admission to hospital and discharge, for instance, is ignored
at everyone’s peril – and yet so often is.”
Peter Tihanyi, Head of Policy at The Princess Royal Trust for
Carers and the other Co-Chair of the campaign, believes that there
is much to be done to improve communications between carers, those
they care for, and professionals.
“By making a concerted effort to work together – to become
true partners in care - we aim to make a real difference to the
quality of life of carers,” he says. “It is our hope that this
campaign will raise their profile and lead to better recognition
and improved care for them.”
For further information, please contact Liz Fox or Deborah
Hart in the Communications Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127