MORE CARE FOR CARERS UNDER SNP

For immediate use: Tuesday 28th September 2010


Attn: NEWSDESKS
POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS


OVER 10,000 RESPITE WEEKS DELIVERED


More and better care for Scotland’s carers has been delivered under the
SNP Government as new figures show that more than 10,000 additional weeks
of respite care – a key manifesto pledge – have been provided to
Scotland’s carers.


In 2006-07 163 640 weeks of respite were provided for Scotland’s carers.
In the last year that reached 203,360 weeks of valuable time out and
support for the thousands of carers across the country as an extra 7,650
weeks were provided in one year.


While some of the increase is due to better recording of the information
the SNP’s target of 10,000 additional weeks has been delivered ahead of
schedule.


Welcoming the news SNP MSP Bill Kidd said:


"Scotland's carers now benefit from more than 10,000 additional weeks of
respite care.


“This is great news for Scotland’s carers and sees the SNP delivering on
another manifesto pledge ahead of schedule.


“In 2007 we made a commitment to Scotland’s carers that we would help and
support them with additional respite care to improve the quality of their
lives.


"We know how valuable that respite care is to people who in many cases
devote their lives to caring for family members and friends and have
worked together with carers and local authorities to ensure it is
delivered.


“Scotland’s carers do an immense job and we must support them as best we can.