AQW 10287/17-22 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health how many unpaid family or friend carers there are; and to detail the criteria used to add, update and maintain a register of carers.
Asked by Kellie Armstrong MLA on 16 November 2020
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 16 November 2020
- Answer due by
- 1 December 2020
- Answered
- 16 December 202030 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
There are currently 8,087 carers listed on the HSC Trusts’ Carer Registers as follows:
HSC Trust
Belfast 1,360
Northern1,979
Western1,791
Southern 885
South Eastern2,072
Total: 8,087
In respect of eligibility for inclusion in the Registers, all that the HSC Trusts require is that a person needs to undertake an unpaid caring role within the Trust’s area.
The Registers are maintained by the Trusts’ Carer Co-ordinators. Carers are often referred to the Co-ordinators by GPs, other health professionals, or community and voluntary groups. Carers can also self-identify and ask to join the register.
HSC Trusts regularly update their registers, often on a daily basis. Some Trusts undertake formal reviews of their registers periodically when carers are asked if they wish to remain on the register.