To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what steps he has taken to implement the recommendations outlined in the Commissioner for Older People’s 2014 report on Supporting Older Carers.

Of the five recommendations made in the 2014 report, my department’s analysis was that four recommendations were satisfied by the well established practice in the Health and Social Care (HSC) system. HSC Trusts have a statutory duty to make information regarding a carer’s right to assessment widely available and to inform eligible individuals directly of that right.

Since 2013, a target in the Commissioning Plan Direction has required a 10% increase in the number of carers’ assessments offered, as compared to the previous year. However, it would not be appropriate to set a target for “uptake” of assessment, as carers have a right to decline assessment. Indeed, the highest proportion of carers declining an assessment state that they do not require any further support.

Following the completion of a carers assessment, HSC Trusts are required to meet all eligible need identified, and mechanisms to carry out reviews and reassessments are already well established.

The report also recommended changes to the NISAT Carers Assessment form, echoing calls from other stakeholders and carer representatives. Accordingly, the tool has been reviewed and significantly changed as part of the review of eNISAT; changes include a change of name to the ‘Carers Support Plan’.