Section 2 – Duty to produce strategy
6.This section provides for a duty to be placed on relevant authorities to produce a strategy in relation to carers.
7.Subsection (1) provides that the Welsh Ministers may by way of regulations require a relevant authority or two or more relevant authorities to prepare and publish a strategy setting out how the authority will work or the authorities will work together to provide information and advice which is appropriate to carers, and also how they will work together to ensure that carers are consulted before they decide what services are to be provided to a carer or the person being cared for.
8.In addition, the strategy must set out how the relevant authorities will ensure that before they make directions of a general nature regarding the provision of services to carers and the persons they care for, they will consult carers before making such decisions.
9.Subsection (2) provides that each relevant authority which has a duty under subsection (1) to prepare and publish a strategy must also implement the strategy.
10.Subsection (3) currently defines relevant authorities as—
any Local Health Board established under section 11 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 (c. 42);
any NHS trust established under section 18 of that Act;
any Special Health Authority established under section 22 of that Act;
any county council or county borough council.
11.Subsection (4) makes it clear that it does not matter whether the services are provided by a relevant authority or by another person (for example, under contracting-out arrangements).
12.Subsection (5) defines responsible authority.