Health Minister David Ashford has confirmed that carers looking after family members can book respite support up to a year ahead in order to arrange holidays.

The Department of Health and Social Care offers respite care beds for older people with dementia and people with learning disabilities, to support their families.

Mr Ashford said: ’Although for learning disability and older people’s social care there are no hard and fast rules in regard to bookings of respite, bookings are taken up to a year in advance, so if a carer needs to book a holiday, there is that ability.’ The Minister was responding to questions in the House of Keys from Rob Callister (Onchan) who wanted to know what respite care provision was provided by the government.

Mr Ashford said: ’There are 11 places available for older people in our residential homes - Southlands, Reayrt ny Baie and Cummal Mooar.

’This includes two rooms held for people in need of emergency respite care.’

In addition there are five respite rooms for people with dementia, located in Ramsey, Port St Mary and Douglas.

He added: ’The department commissions two respite care beds from the Corrin Home in Peel.

’In total there are 11 rooms available for people with a learning disability and these are in Douglas.’

Some private providers also offered ad hoc respite arrangements, he said.