§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 2 February 2004,Official Report, column 688W, on mental health, how many of the 700 carer support workers are (a) new staff and (b) existing staff with expanded or adapted roles; and if he will make a statement. [154987]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe commitment to recruit 700 carer support workers by 2004 to increase the breaks available for carers, and to strengthen carer support1694W networks is part of the Priorities and Planning Framework 2003 –06 which identified the targets set for services in the three year period.
Recruitment is a local responsibility. We cannot say whether the 700 carer support workers will all be additional to existing national health service staff. Guidance on developing carer support services was published in 2002.