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‘Incredibly low’ number of carers offered needs assessment

People who look after a loved one are legally entitled to a needs assessment to see whether they are eligible for additional help.

But in 2016-17, 13,071 out of 370,000 carers were offered an assessment – just 3.5% of carers.

The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) said it recognised the need to increase awareness of the service.

Around half of those offered an assessment refused one, but 6,207 accepted.

But of those, only 1,823 received a package of support, representing only 0.5% of Welsh carers.

The Assembly’s health, care and sport committee has announced it is launching an inquiry to look at support and information available to carers.

It will look at the impact of the Social Services and Wellbeing Act including assessments of need, provision of support including respite care as well as the information collected by councils and health boards on carers and their needs. More

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