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Young carers often provide care because they have always done so for the people they care about, and because they believe that the care recipient could not manage without them. For many young carers, looking after their own health, combining caring with schoolwork, getting access to training or having time off from carer duties can be a major challenge (Department of Health [DH], 2008).

Introduction: The aim of this literature review is to identify the most common tools used to measure burden in carers of people with Parkinson's disease (PD), heart failure (HF), multiple sclerosis (MS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Method: Databases such as Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Academic Search Complete were searched. Studies in which carer burden was measured were included.

Background: Family caregivers experience spiritual and existential concerns while caring for their terminally ill family members. Aim: To evaluate and synthesise studies on spirituality among family caregivers in palliative care. Design: An integrative literature review of peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2016. Sample: Participants were family caregivers (parents, spouses, relatives or friends) caring for an adult (age>18 years) family member with a terminal illness in a palliative care setting.

New bill to improve support for UK informal carers. The proposed Carers (Identification and Support) Bill is summarised and responses from charities and other organisations are discussed. [BNI unique abstract]

In the first article of this new section, actuarial expert Robert Plumb looks in more depth at the topical issue of the future of long-term care.

Summary of the conclusions of a government consultation programme to develop a strategy to support informal carers. [(BNI unique abstract)] 0 references

The approaching financial challenges within health and social care are well heralded and will inevitably cause strain in the care system. It is likely that in the name of efficiency there will be reductions in hospital in-patient stays and a reluctance by local authorities to extend their provision for those with significant care needs. Indeed, the context is being set for further exploitation of carers in the coming years.

Beccy Sims reports on the government's efforts to provide better help and support for the country's 5.2 million carers.

New government strategy to support informal carers, especially carers of older people. The principles of the strategy and the number of people providing informal care are discussed.

There are 5.7 million carers across the UK, providing care and support to family members, relatives or friends who are ill, disabled or elderly and frail (Office of Populations, Censuses and Surveys, 1995). It is estimated that informal carers save the country £34 billion annually (Nuttall et al, 1993). If carers decided to stop providing informal care, health and social services would be overwhelmed by the increase in workload, many people would suffer and taxes would increase dramatically.