To ask the Minister of Health what impact the delay in the roll out of day care is having on carers of adults with learning disabilities.

The Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) are coordinating the development of operational recovery plans across disability services to restart services in a regionally consistent and phased manner. Timescales within this phased restart are guided by the need to ensure the safety of service users, carers and staff and this means that services are currently not able to operate in the same way or to the same capacity as pre-COVID levels. Local issues such as the limitations of current estate and transport services are also having an impact on the rebuilding of services, as are staff absences.

I am very aware of the effects the response to the first wave of COVID has had on those with caring responsibilities and I am concerned that carers will find it hard to manage with fewer supports and increased caring demands.

Trusts are working hard to build capacity in services and find innovative solutions to meet the needs of individuals. My officials are continuing to monitor the progress Trusts are making closely. In addition, Trust keyworkers remain in contact with service users and carers in order to assess and prioritise requests for support and services and there is also engagement with Community and Voluntary sector partners to explore the potential for extending or expanding existing provision.

Service users, families and carers have been contacted by Trusts to support ongoing dialogue and make them aware that, although some services are restricted, the HSC remains ‘open for business’ and there are staff available to offer support and advice.