PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Rare Diseases: Carers (22 July 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish a separate strategy for supporting families and carers of people with rare diseases, including support for their (a) mental health, (b) relationships, and (c) professional careers.

Asked by:
Sir Mark Tami (Labour)

The Government recognises the vital role unpaid carers play, especially during this difficult period now more than ever.

In June 2018, the Government published its cross-Government Carers Action Plan 2018-2020 to increase identification, recognition and support for unpaid carers. It sets out a two-year programme of targeted work to support unpaid carers. It puts a focus on practical actions and gives visibility to the work already underway or planned within Government. The action plan is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/713781/carers-action-plan-2018-2020.pdf

Good progress has been made towards fulfilling the commitments set out in the Carers Action Plan. Last July we published the ‘Carers Action Plan: 1-year progress review’ which showcases some of the key commitments we made within the action plan and is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/carers-action-plan-2018-to-2020-1-year-progress-review

As work within the Carers Action Plan comes to an end this year, we plan to produce a final report and steps outlining the next phase of work supporting unpaid carers.

The Government has no plans to publish a separate strategy for supporting families and carers of people with rare diseases.

Answered by:
Helen Whately (Conservative)
3 September 2020