New hotline provides free advice for carers

The government has launched a new telephone hotline to provide information and advice to England’s five million carers.
The Carers Direct hotline and website include information about assessments, benefits and direct payments, and help in staying in or returning to work and with education and training.
They also offer advice on how to improve carers’ own physical and mental health, and how to access health and social care for the person they are caring for.
The launch, by care services minister Phil Hope, came on the first anniversary of the publication of the government’s carers strategy.
Hope said: “I know that carers’ lives are often made unnecessarily difficult if they have to struggle to find the information, advice and support they need. I hope Carers Direct will put this right.”
The Department of Health said the hotline was complemented by Caring with Confidence, a training course for carers, which is available in person, online or by distance learning.
The Carers Direct website is at www.nhs.uk/carersdirect or phone the helpline on freephone 0808 802 0202.
June