Around 19,000 Sutton carers are being let down by the NHS as health bosses fail to reveal how a £364,000 fund is being spent, claims MP Paul Burstow.

Mr Burstow said Sutton and Merton PCT was given a £364,352 share of a £50m government fund to spent on carers services in 2009/10. He said the cash was supposed to improve support for carers, giving priority to paying for breaks for carers.

But, despite several Freedom of Information requests from Mr Burstow and carers’ charity the Princess Royal Trust, the PCT has not revealed how the cash is being spent.

Mr Burstow said: “There appears to be a lot of confusion in PCTs about how they have used their share of the £50 million.

“It is clear that not all the money has made it through to services supporting carers. This must be sorted.”

“It gives the impression that the PCT is at best incompetent and, at worst, has something to hide. Either way, its time that PCT bosses spelt out where the money has gone.”

Chief executive of Sutton Princess Royal Trust, Rachael Macleod said: “We don’t know how the PCT has spent the money. Nothing has improved for carers.

“I hope we’ll see more improvements from next year’s £726,230 fund.”

A spokesman for NHS Sutton and Merton said: “We have responded to Mr Burstow with details about how the funding for carers is being invested, and apologised for him for the length of time it has taken to get back to him.

“We have also now responded to the survey from the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care.

“In 2009-10, we are investing £1m in supporting carers locally. This includes an additional £150,000 this year.”

A spokesperson for NHS Sutton and Merton said: “In 2009-10, we are investing £1m in supporting carers locally.

This includes an additional £150,000 this year. This money is being invested in helping people with dementia – for example enabling the Alzheimer’s Society to provide information, advice and peer support groups – and in providing respite for carers of children with complex needs.

“We are currently reviewing our strategic priorities for 2009-10, and will be working with local people how best to spend the funds which have been allocated by the Government for next year.”

Maureen's story

Maureen (name changed) is a 62-year-old woman from Sutton who said she felt “let down” by the NHS after they failed to give her enough support to look after her son.

The woman and her husband were both forced to give up work to look after their 40-year-old son, who was diagnosed with cancer and developed serious mental health issues.

She said: “My son was made redundant in October 2005. He spent all of 2006 looking for work but, before he found a job, he was diagnosed with cancer at the end of the year.

“He went through several operations and a lot of treatment. During this time he slipped into a severe depression.

“He was referred to a lot of mental health teams, but the help and support we thought we would get didn’t happen.

“There were lots of appointments scheduled then cancelled. Then the person looking after our case went off sick for six months and no-one else followed up.

“I made about 15 phone calls and send 20 email to get some support but nothing was sorted.

“Three months ago, my husband I had to give up our jobs to look after our son.

“It makes me feel very, disappointed, frustrated and angry at what has happened. We feel completely let down.

“There should be a lot more support available. The PCT should have used the £364,352 fund to help people like us.”

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