Carers

Dr. Blackman-Woods
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the time taken by local authorities in assessing the needs of those caring for disabled relatives; and what support her Department gives to local authorities to make such assessments.

Mr. Ivan Lewis
The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 gives carers the right to a carer's assessment. It is for councils to ensure that assessments are carried out in a timely manner to ensure that carers do not wait unnecessarily for a needs assessment or services.