AQW 51864/11-16

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 03/12/2015
Answered On Date: 17/12/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of (i) why 61 per cent of carers assessments offered in the last quarter were declined; (ii) the proportion of assessments that were declined by carers who are over 60 years of age; and to detail (iii) how he is addressing this trend.

Answer:

(i) Quarterly Carers’ Statistics for Northern Ireland presents figures regionally and by Health and Social Care Trust in respect of carers assessments and reassessments that are offered, accepted / completed and declined. Table 5 of the Carers publication sets out the reasons for declining a carer's assessment https://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/publications/quarterly-carers-statistics-northern-ireland-july-september-2015.

(ii) My Department does not collect the reason for declining by age group of the carer, only by Programme of Care (POC) of the cared for person.

(iii) With a view to driving improvements in this area an annual target has been included in the Commissioning Plan Direction requiring a 10% increase in the number of carers assessments offered, as compared to the previous year. It is not considered appropriate to set a target for “uptake” as carers have a right to decline assessment if they do not wish to have one completed. Notably, in the latest carers publication the reason given most frequently for declining an offer of a carers assessment was that the carer feels that they do not need any support or additional support. a