To ask the Minister of Health (i) whether there are services that are available to those carers who look after more than one family member and need to attend hospital appointments or emergency services with one of them; (ii) whether the Minister has any plans to introduce measures on an ad hoc basis that enable carers to look after family members that (a) need to attend appointments; and (b) those who must remain at home.

Carers are a vital part of the Department’s vision of providing support for people to remain in their own homes and live independently for longer. I consider the provision of flexible appropriate support for carers to be a priority across the Health and Social Care (HSC) system. The role of a full time carer is one with a lot of responsibility attached, it is important that carers feel that flexible support is there if and when they need it.

All HSC Trusts have confirmed that they can and regularly do provide services to carers who care for more than one family member/friend, where one person requires attendance at a hospital appointment or emergency services. A range of services are available across HSC Trusts including extended domiciliary care, emergency support (including the provision of personal care), the provision of emergency short breaks which can be delivered in a person’s own home or longer term within a range of nursing/residential home facilities

In addition to assessing a carer’s individual needs, the regional Carers Needs and Support Plan element of the Single Assessment Tool (NISAT), provides an important opportunity for carers to discuss and agree contingency arrangements to be adopted during an emergency situation.

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