Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 11 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 February 2003. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Monday, 24 February 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans the Government has for increasing (a) the numbers of carers and (b) the effective use of respite care for the disabled. - Including figures.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government has for increasing (a) the numbers of carers and (b) the effective use of respite care for the disabled. [97984] Jacqui Smith: The Department has committed funding of £1.5 million, to the national social care recruitment campaign, launched in October 2001. The campaign comprises national advertising, leaflets, posters, local and national public relations activity, a helpline, and a website. The materials produced are available to local employers to support their own recruitment and retention efforts to reduce vacancy rates in the social care workforce. The effective use of respite care for the disabled is supported by the carers' grant, introduced in 1999 to support councils in providing short breaks for carers to enable them to continue to care whilst maintaining their own health and wellbeing.

Secondary information