THE vital role played by thousands of Wiltshire carers will be supported by a new strategy launched by Wiltshire County Council.

In the 2001 census nearly 40,000 people in Wiltshire said they have a caring role, but there may be thousands more as many people who care for others do not recognise themselves as carers.

A new Wiltshire Carers Policy and Strategy has now been put in place to help them out.

The strategy recognises the care provided by carers makes a substantial financial saving for both local authorities and the NHS, and that supporting carers will lead to better care for the person they look after.

An important element of the strategy is to provide support services for carers including giving them a break from caring, crisis care and help for carers to find and stay in employment.

The county council believes consultation and involvement with carers is essential in developing services, and the new plan outlines how this will be done without putting extra burdens on carers, by holding meetings at times to suit them or encouraging carers to work together on a project.

Plans include local carers' strategy groups, carers' champions in the primary care trusts, and including carers in local decision making.

Cabinet member for adult care services, Coun Judy Seager, said: "The care local people provide is vital to the well-being of a substantial proportion of society. They provide a service that would otherwise fall to the local authorities or NHS.

"The strategy ensures we provide services carers need in a way that suits them and helps them express their views and make their voices heard."

The strategy was written following consultation with carers and is the result of a collaboration between the county council, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust, Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust, South Wiltshire Primary Care Trust and Carer's Voice, and organisations that represent carers.