HC Deb 15 May 1992 vol 207 cc213-4W
Mr. Butcher

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will conduct a study of the general health of those carers whose dependants are in receipt of respite care.

Mr. Yeo

In 1985, the general household survey included a series of questions for people looking after a sick, handicapped or elderly person, so as to provide as full a picture as possible of informal carers. Information was collected about the health of carers and about time off from caring. In 1990, questions about informal carers were again included in the general household survey, and the results will be published in due course.

In addition, the Department is currently funding a three-year study at the National Institute for Social Work to investigate the effectiveness of respite services for the carers of confused elderly people. One component of the study, which is due to report later this year, is the impact of respite services on the health of carers.