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<p>Each year since 2021, we have published an England Rare Diseases Action Plan. On
29 February 2024, we published the third England Rare Diseases Action Plan. In this
plan we recognised that significant challenges exist with access to mental health
and psychological support for people living with rare conditions, as well as their
families and carers. During this year we have taken steps to further understand the
challenges faced through a workshop, and have begun to address these needs by developing
resources to better equip the workforce to provide support.</p><p>The enormous contribution
of unpaid carers, including those caring for individuals with rare diseases, is reflected
throughout the Next Steps to Put People at the Heart of Care, published in April 2023.
Furthermore, the Better Care Fund in 2023/24 includes £327 million for carers support,
including short breaks and respite services for carers. This also funds advice and
support to carers, and a small number of additional local authority duties. The Accelerating
Reform Fund also provides support for unpaid carers. The Government is developing
a new survey of unpaid carers which will capture the wide range of experiences, circumstances,
and needs of unpaid carers across England. Through the National Institute for Health
and Care Research, an evaluation of the support provided to unpaid carers funded through
the Better Care Fund has been commissioned, which will improve the understanding of
what support works best for unpaid carers.</p>
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