Government

Background To investigate the prevalence of caregiving and its relationship with work, health and socio-economic circumstances in the Health and Employment After Fifty (HEAF) study. Methods The HEAF study comprises 8134 men and women aged 50–64 years recruited from 24 general practices. Socio-demographic, lifestyle and health characteristics and hours per week giving personal care were elicited by postal questionnaire. Objective clinical information about diagnoses/medications was retrieved from health records.

The title of the new children's green paper "Every Child Matters" implies inclusiveness, and the paper does indeed highlight a range of client groups with specific needs, suggesting that all children are covered. Asks whether the commitment to inclusiveness is genuine or merely a token gesture. Looks at 5 areas where more could have been done: children entering the country, parents and carers of disabled children, young carers, children with parents in jail, and improving fostering and adoption services. (Quotes from original text)

The government will be introducing national standards for carer support services to which all local authority and health authority services will be expected to comply. The Kings Fund was asked to facilitate the drawing up of these standards and, following wide consultation, will submit its proposals this month.