“Unpaid carers are the invisible scaffolding holding up the NHS and social care in the UK.
"Despite this, they have been largely ignored in discussions about, and responses to, the pandemic.” Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer 

Excuse after excuse has been made why Carers could not be provided with the promised £500 Covid Carers payment announced and then withdrawn by the NI Minister for Health. Excuse after excuse why respite services and day centre provision has not been restored to pre-pandemic levels - if pubs can be fully open, why can’t day centres?

Carers continue to provide care even though they are exhausted and haven’t had a break in almost 2 years. It’s shameful.

I believe the only way we can change this is by having a National register of Carers for NI. By having a list of known Carers, no Minister can claim not to know how to identify or contact Carers. It’s time to recognise and celebrate all unpaid Carers. 

in signing this petition you will join me in asking the Minister for Health in Northern Ireland to commit to establishing a National Carers Register for Northern Ireland. This register will, at last, provide a Northern Ireland register for unpaid* Carers to ensure better communication, consultation and recognition.

In memory of my brother Michael who lived a full life thanks to his unpaid Carers.

*unpaid Carers are people who provide care for a family member or friend who has a disability or age related illness, and are not formally employed to provide this care, who may be in receipt of Carers Allowance or no financial support. Carers are the undervalued backbone of our National Health service who must have their voice heard as part of Health service provision.