The push to see the needs of ethnic minority carers' move up the health and social care agenda has secured the support of the new minister for social care.

In his first speech on race equality, Minister of State for Social Care, Paul Burstow MP acknowledge the major contribution made by carers from black and ethnic minority communities. He also acknowledged the way in which race equality has been marginalised in government social policy and the need to improve support for carers.

‘Poor planning in councils and health authorities need to be challenged and certain urban myths need debunking regarding the perception of BME communities,' Burstow said.

Speaking at a roundtable consultation on the future needs of BME carers in Britain last week, the Minister also noted that barriers had to be removed so that BME communities can get the help they need. Poor planning in councils and health authorities has to be challenged along with certain urban myths within public sector organisations.

‘Access has to be improved, service providers should be more aware of cultural differences and that not everyone recognised the label of Carer', Burstow said.

Call for equality impact assessment on spending  cuts

The minister also listened to suggestion from carers at the roundtable event organised by the Afiya Trust and the National Black Carers and Care Workers Network.

With public sector cuts a major concern for all providers, the charity has made calls for an Equality Impact Assessment to be carried out on the cuts in public expenditure to minimise the damaging this is likely to have on ethnic minority communities.

‘The Afiya Trust wants to ensure that robust equalities impact taken place in plans around cuts in services for carers and their families,' Patrick Vernon, Chief Executive of the Afiya Trust, said.

The Afiya Trust also published a report setting out recommendations for the new coalition government to consider and implement during its first two years in office.

As well as calling for the establishment of a race and health advisory board that would directly to the Secretary of State for Health and the Chief Medical officer, the charity would also like to see clear milestones set to eradicate racial inequalities in health which are liked to performance targets for all health providers.

Other recommendations include creating a role for carer and service users leadership in the evaluation of health and social care services.

Institutional barriers prevent access to carers support

An increasing number of people are providing high levels of care to their loved ones, which all too often takes an enourmous toll on a carers health, finances and ability to live their own lives.  An estimated six million people are carers with over one million people caring for more than one person. While saving the economy an estimated £87 billion every year many people who have found themselves trapped in this role live on the carers benefit of £53.10 for 35 hours, which is equivalent to £1.52 per hour.

Burstow recently committed to ensuring that carers get the support they need through  direct payments. ‘We're going to use direct payments so that carers have real control over their lives and get more breaks, and better access to respite care, which is crucial for giving carers a breather and a life beyond their caring responsibilities,' the Minister said.

While welcoming this move experts from the community point to the low take-up of mainstream support by  BME carers because of the institutional and cultural barriers that exist.  They warn unless this is addressed ethnic minority carers will continue to be discriminated against.

‘The low take-up of mainstream services is often attributed to the characteristics of BME carers rather than to institutional barriers and culturally inappropriate support. The Afiya Trust wants to ensure that robust equalities impact taken place in plans around cuts in services for carers and their families,' Vernon said.