Written question WQ88848

We have undertaken an in-depth analysis of the previous winter period in collaboration with leaders from the NHS Executive, Health Boards and NHS Trusts. We are actively using findings to shape plans for seasonal pressures going into the winter season. Our intent is to increase services resilience and to improve how we navigate peaks in demand, especially for identified higher risk cohorts of patients.

National programmes are actively developing or delivering interventions to support people at greater risk with the objective of managing more people in the community, where safe to do so, and ensuring robust pathways are in place to meet individual’s needs.

Whilst we appreciate that the winter months create additional pressures, ensuring there is targeted support for unpaid carers is our priority throughout the year. The Welsh Government fully recognises the vital role undertaken by unpaid carers and the many challenges that being a carer can bring.

In June 2022, the Deputy Minister for Social Services, announced funding of £4.5m over three years to continue the Carers Support Fund administered by Carers Trust Wales. This helps alleviate financial stress and anxiety experienced by many unpaid carers in financial hardship. Eligibility for the fund is not linked to Carer’s Allowance and is available to unpaid carers on low incomes. In addition to the financial support offered, importantly carers are also supported through designated support services, advice and information.

£9million is being invested between 2022 and 2025 to provide innovative individually tailored short breaks for unpaid carers. Unpaid carers consistently tell us that taking a break helps them to cope with the pressures of their caring responsibilities. Carers Trust Wales is the national coordinator of the scheme and is working with partners through Regional Partnership Boards to encourage innovation and maximum use of available funding.

We have continued to provide £1m of funding in this financial year, specifically to improve communications with unpaid carers in the hospital setting and the discharge process. We have funded Carers Wales to produce best practice guidance for professional engagement with unpaid carers, including regarding hospital discharge. Where unpaid carers have eligible needs for support, Direct Payments can be used to aid timely discharge.

Following considerable collaboration with partners, we published a Charter for Unpaid Carers in September 2022. The charter outlines the rights of unpaid carers, enshrined in the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act. For example, the duty on local authorities to assess if an unpaid carer needs support, where it appears this may be the case.

The Ministerial Advisory Group on Unpaid Carers will continue to monitor the progress of all our work to support unpaid carers. The Welsh Government commissioned the Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru (ADSSC) to undertake a rapid review of how local authorities are supporting unpaid carers from the ongoing impacts of Covid-19 and the current cost of living crisis. Their report will be reviewed by the Deputy Minister for Social Services in the autumn and will be considered at the Ministerial Advisory Group meeting for Unpaid Carers in September.