Local AM champions rights for carers

9.11.51am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 14th Feb 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has called for greater recognition for the 350,000 carers in Wales.

The local AM is backing her party's calls for carers' rights to be enshrined in law, including a duty on the NHS to consider carers welfare.

Ms Williams said: "Carers perform a role in society which is too easy to overlook, and impossible to overestimate. They are often so committed to others they don't take enough care of their own interests - they are much more likely to become ill than non-carers, for example. There are £740 million worth of carers' benefits unclaimed each year, while individuals often struggle to combine work and care.

"We need to ensure that the NHS gives greater recognition to the role and welfare of carers and the Welsh Liberal Democrat's proposed Assembly Measure would do that, by recognising that carers sometimes need a break from their responsibilities. We would enshrine in law a carer's right to information, and to an independent assessment of their needs, which would include provision for respite care."