Commissioner’s response to ‘Are We Caring for Our Carers?’ report
Responding to the findings of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales’s latest report, Are we caring for our carers?, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Rhian Bowen-Davies, said:
“Unpaid carers in Wales provide care and support worth billions, often at great cost to their own health and well-being, and without them our health and social care systems would simply not be able to cope.
“So it is hugely disappointing to see significant failings in upholding carers’ rights across four local authorities, as revealed by the Ombudsman’s latest report, which also raises questions about how many carers in other parts of Wales are facing similar experiences.
“It is shocking that just 2.8% of carers in the areas investigated, many of whom will be older carers, had received an assessment, something every unpaid carer has a right to, and that only 1.5% of carers had an assessment that led to a support plan.
“These figures are alarming and represent a gap between policy and practice that is simply not acceptable.
“It is also greatly concerning, after nearly a decade of these duties being in place, that many carers are not being fully informed about their rights, including their right to advocacy, information is often poor, and there are inconsistencies in language and terminology that cause confusion and create barriers for carers.
“I hope that local authorities across Wales will carefully examine the Ombudsman’s findings and recommendations, as well as the good practice identified in the report, and take any action required to ensure they are fulfilling their statutory duties and are upholding carers’ rights.
“In addition, the Welsh Government should also use the findings to inform its upcoming review of the Unpaid Carers Strategy, alongside providing additional support and resources to local authorities to identify unpaid carers, improve awareness about carers’ rights, and ensure they can access the support they need.”
Read the Ombudsman's Report