AMA calls for greater carer access to respite care
Australian Medication Association (AMA) president, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, has called for carers to be given greater access to respite care through the establishment of new respite centres where carers can place the people in their care for a weekend or few days to give themselves a break and the opportunity to recharge their batteries.
In 2003, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than 2.5 million Australians (13% of the total population) were unpaid carers. Of these, 170,000 (6.6%) were under 18 years of age.