Introduction The European Parliament Interest Group on Carers was launched in June 2007 with the aim of ensuring that policy development at an EU level takes carers issues the issues of carers into account and to check policies for their impact on the situation of carers in the EU.
We welcome DG SANCO's call for views on the Commission's priorities for the Annual Work Plan 2009, as well as the Commission's recognition of the need to improve the health and well being of our society in order to achieve the EU's strategic social and economic objectives, as reflected by the Lisbon agenda..
The European Parliament Interest Group on Carers believe that, despite the EU’s limited remit within the area of health, the EU can play a significant role in promoting understanding and adding value at EU level in relation to carers. The potential for mutual learning and exchange of best practice between Member States is a concrete example of where EU activity can stimulate change and make a real difference. Given the wide variety of approaches towards carers in each Member State, we believe that the Commission has an important role to play in promoting a common approach towards carers and in turn will help the EU reconnect with its citizens.
We therefore call on DG SANCO to play a greater role in supporting and recognising the contribution and interests of the over 100 million carers across the EU.
The ageing of society, leading to an increasing number of people in need of care, combined with changes in size and composition of families, labour market change (an increasing number of women entering the labour market), and increased mobility will impact on the availability of family care.. An estimated 100 million Europeans provide regular care, unpaid, for a relative, partner, neighbour or friend, who may be ill, frail or disabled. Carers form the foundations of formal health and social care and are an indispensable part of long-term care provision. If carers are expected to keep providing care - their needs must be an inherent part of health and social policy development.
If DG SANCO is seriously committed to developing priorities for their Work Plan 2009 that will complement, support and add value to the health policies of the Member States, it is critical that carers are given greater recognition in EU policy initiatives including in the area of health.
Areas for concrete action
1. Healthy Ageing
Demand for care is rising, and as a society we must make caring possible. This is absolutely crucial in enabling ill and disabled people to live as they choose. The growing number of frail older people is rapidly leading to an ever growing need for care provision, which puts pressure on national health and social security budgets. We call on the Commission to address this growing need for care in concrete terms.
2. Support for Carers.
Carers are twice as likely to have a lifetime limiting illness if they are providing substantial care compared with those who are not carers. Many carers suffer from depression due to the demands of caring. Therefore, it is imperative to support advocacy structures, locally, nationally and at European level which will give a voice and visibility to carers.
We believe it is time to design a new social contract for care which goes beyond the traditional view of a contract between the state and the individual and call for new commitments which involves employers, local agencies and communities. All stakeholders need to be clear about their roles and responsibilities and to agree to a core set of values if they are to provide the support that carers need.
3. Quality Care at Home
We highlight the importance of providing practical, professional and formal training for informal and family carers. As the health situation varies across Member States, the capacity for grassroot organisations to provide training for carers can be extremely limited. We therefore call on the Commission to consider together with Member States the strong social arguments for using EU funds under the Public Health Programme to support the capacity building of the relevant grassroot organisations. Carers should be seen as an investment rather than a cost.
Conclusions
The European Parliament Interest Group on Carers would like to thank DG SANCO for this welcome call for views on their Annual Work Plan 2009. Carers form the bedrock of our health and social care systems, and are crucial to the future economic and social sustainability of our health care systems. Carers need to be at the forefront at any future debates and initiatives and the European Parliament Interest Group on Carers hope to have continued dialogue and involvement in this regard.
On behalf of the European Interest Group on Carers:
Marian Harkin MEP IE Kathy Sinnott MEP
