Communities Minister Sue Ellery is urging carers to have their say on how the State Government can provide them with better services and support.
Ms Ellery said carers and representatives of care organisations had until August 15 to participate in a review of the Carers Recognition Act.
“There are more than 248,000 carers in Western Australia who provide informal or unpaid care to family members, friends or neighbours,” she said.
“These dedicated people provide ongoing care or assistance, without payment, to their families and friends who have disabilities, chronic or mental illnesses, or who are frail.
“It is vital that carers are supported to continue providing this valuable service in our community.
“The review will allow people to provide feedback on the Act, including whether the Act adequately ensures that carers, and the people they care for, are consulted about the planning, delivery and assessment of services that affect them."
People interested in making a submission can do it in writing or by attending one of nine focus groups being held throughout the State. Focus groups will be held during August in Fremantle, Subiaco and Midland in the metropolitan area, and in regional WA they will be held in Geraldton, Kununurra, Karratha, Bunbury, Kalgoorlie and Albany.
Carers Advisory Council chairperson Lois Gatley said she welcomed the review as a means of testing how far Government services and their funded agencies had progressed in meeting the requirements of the Act, since it was introduced in 2005.
“The Act provides that carers, the people who are the real experts on the care needs of their family members, are to be consulted as partners in making decisions on the provision of services and strategic directions in health and disability sectors,”
Ms Gatley said.
An information pack containing full details of the review, terms of reference, information about metropolitan and regional focus groups and the submission form is available from the Department for Communities.
The department can be contacted on (08) 6217 8500 or 1800 199 174 for people living outside the metro area, or online at http://www.communities.wa.gov.au
Minister's office - 9213 7150 
