AQW 10287/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 16/11/2020
Answered On Date: 16/12/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
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.

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.