CARERS in North Yorkshire are saving the NHS nearly £630 million a year, according to a new report by the national organisation Carers UK.

The report says that people caring for their sick, disabled or frail relatives and partners save the state as a whole £57 billion a year - the equivalent of a second NHS.

In York there are just over 16,000 carers and there are 51,000 in North Yorkshire. This, according to Carers UK, equates to a saving of nearly £630 million, £10,000 per carer. The organisation has now set up a website to provide carers with extra help and advice.

The Carers Centre, based in Clementhorpe Health Centre, acts for about 10,000 carers in Selby and York and welcomes news of the new website.

The centre is part of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and is funded by Selby and York Primary Care Trust and the City of York Council.

Manager Dawn O'Rooke, said: "We would welcome any new access to information for carers. Many carers don't know about the support that is available to them. There are so many carers and we only represent a fraction. There are many people who may not even realise that by visiting a parent every day makes them a carer.

"This latest report highlights that more money needs to be pumped into the system for carers." Diana Whitworth, chief executive of Carers UK, said: "When you put a monetary value on carers' contribution to the economy, it is quite startling. It is clear that without carers, our NHS and social care system could not survive.

"Carers are invaluable to the UK - it's time they were given the support and recognition they deserve."

Sue Ross, chief executive of Selby and York PCT said: "I think we would be in a mess without carers. We should support them and in no way criticise or ignore. There are probably many more than the report statistics highlight.

"As the PCT we have a big challenge to be able to complement the work they do within the community and we need to work hard to support the carers and their work and the carers as individuals."

Two new websites are going on line this month and will provide carers with additional support and advice. Log on to www.carersonline.org.uk or www.carers.org.uk

Updated: 11:46 Thursday, May 02, 2002