MSP says more cash needed to help carers

MORE public cash is needed to make sure carers are getting the support they need, it was claimed today.

Figures provided under freedom of information show that out of more than 47,000 carers in Edinburgh, only 1143 have had their needs assessed.

Labour MSP Drew Smith said: “The Scottish Government is always saying how important preventative care is, yet only a fraction of carers are assessed to see if they need support. The SNP needs to ensure that councils have the resources they need to carry out this work.”

City council carers’ champion, Norman Work, said: “The number of carers assessments we have carried out for the past few years has increased. More carer assessments are needed, but we have invested over £1 million towards carer organisations and carer projects.”