New Zealand's health and disability system is facing several pressures, including an ageing population and the increasing prevalence of long-term conditions. These trends are likely to significantly increase the demand for family and friends to provide care. Therefore, carers are becoming integral to the sustainability of the health and disability system, because they care for people with a variety of needs who may otherwise require support from publicly funded services.
The Committee has defined an informal carer as someone who cares for a friend, family member or neighbour who because of sickness, frailty or disability, can't manage everyday living without help or support.
This report makes recommendations to the Minister of Health about how to better support and provide services for informal carers.
The report's recommendations are grouped into the following sections:
- Reducing fragmentation in the care system.
- Achieving national consistency and local flexibility of services.
- Raising awareness.
- Improving workforce capability.
- Preparing for the future.
Purpose
This report makes recommendations for how to better support and provide services for informal carers. The NHC believes that the health and wellbeing of informal carers should be protected. Informal carers need to be well supported in their role so that they can provide care in a sustainable and positive way.