Support for unpaid carers

The Government has announced that following a successful pilot scheme, free Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is now being made available to unpaid carers who need it, so they can continue to keep themselves and those they care for safe from Covid-19 if they have to move between households. Work has now begun with local authorities to set up distribution systems nationwide.

More information about this announcement can be found on the government website.

Minister for Care Helen Whately said:

“Unpaid carers are the unsung heroes of this pandemic. All too often their kindness and devotion go unseen and unacknowledged by society …. working with local authorities and voluntary organisations, we have already improved access for carers to testing and supported day services to stay open safely …. I’m pleased we can now roll out free PPE for those unpaid carers who are advised to use it.“

 

In addition, the announcement noted that a number of unpaid carers have been prioritised for the vaccine as part of cohort 6, in line with the independent advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. These include those who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill.

Plans will be set out to further vaccinate other groups in due course.