Below we've provided a brief summary of the main proposals within the strategy and will be consulting on people's views. We would love to know what you think. Are there any issues not covered? What do you think of the government’s plans? If the MS Society were to campaign on a particular issue raised by the strategy, what should it be?

You can tell us what you think by using the feedback form below. Your personal experiences for instance, are really helpful, as they allow us to illustrate our concerns with real life examples.

Emergency Respite Care

The Government is making an additional £25m available to local authorities in England to enhance the provision of short-term, home-based respite care to provide cover in the event of an emergency. There is also £1m extra going to councils within Wales, given by the Welsh Assembly Government.

There is considerable evidence that the lack of proper planned alternative care provision, in the event of something untoward happening, is one of the most important factors in limiting a carer’s freedom to have a life of their own.


 

Expert Carers Programme

The Expert Carers Programme, now entitled 'Caring in Confidence' aims to support and train carers to better manage their caring role.

As it is developed, the Programme will provide training to carers, "empowering and enabling them, informing them of their rights and services available to them, developing their advocacy skills and their ability to network with other carers to support their needs individually and as a group". 

The first training to carers is expected to take place in August 2008.
 

» National Carers Strategy Publications
You can view or download a copy of the National Strategy by following this link. Beware, the full publication is over 160 pages long. Luckily there's a summary version!

MS Society Briefing - National Carers Strategy
A short summary of the government's National Carers Strategy

Tell us what you think!
Feedback form for the National Carers Strategy