What will the Care Bill mean for people looking after someone with cancer?

Earlier in May, the Care Bill was introduced in Parliament. The Care Bill brings together five years of reports, Committees, White Papers and draft legislation to reform the care and support system in England.

So what will it mean for people providing unpaid care for a loved one with cancer?

• For the first time carers will have a right to a Carer’s Assessment from their local authority based on need, without having to request one.
• Carers will no longer need to provide ‘regular and substantial’ support to be eligible for an assessment.  
• Local authorities will be required to meet the support needs of carers, where carers meet the eligibility criteria.
• Local authorities must focus on preventing, delaying and reducing support needs of carers in their area. In doing this they must have regard to the importance of identifying carers in their area with needs that are not being met.

These are really positive changes, as carers often don’t know their rights to assessments or how to access support.  

Yet, more needs to be done to identify carers, particularly by the NHS.  

 Our research shows that there are almost one million cancer carers in England and that half receive no support at all.

The first point of contact for cancer carers is often the health service (such as their GP and hospitals). This makes them an ideal place to:

• Identify carers early
• Signpost to local authority assessments, information, advice and support.

Every part of the health and social care system should be involved in identifying and supporting carers. However, the Care Bill only focuses on what local authorities and their social care teams are required to do.  

Macmillan believes it is vital that the NHS plays their part in recognising carers, and making sure they are signposted to support early on so they do not continue to slip through the net.

Join our carers campaign to ask the Government to tackle the caring crisis and fight for those who care.

Share your experience of caring for a loved one with cancer by emailing Rebecca from our Campaigns team at rtaylor@macmillan.org.uk, and help us make the case for supporting carers.

Get involved with Carers Week  this week (10 – 16 June)

Get support from Macmillan

If you are caring for someone with cancer visit our website for information and support today.

On 11 June 2013, Mac nurse Josie and welfare rights advisor Sarah will be answering your questions about caring for someone with cancer.  Follow our facebook page to keep updated.