I WRITE on behalf of the tens of thousands of unpaid carers who devote their lives 24 hours a day to care for loved ones.

My wife, who is classified as clinically vulnerable and who is totally wheelchair dependant, has rightly received a call from our GP to receive a vaccination for coronavirus.

However, when she enquired about when I, her registered carer would receive an invitation to have the vaccination, she was told that only ‘employed’ carers were currently being vaccinated.

I am in my late 60s and relatively fit.

If I did not have my carer responsibilities, I would be more than happy to go to the back of the queue behind those in public service such as the police and teachers who I believe should be given priority.

However, that is not my position, my wife is totally dependant on myself each and every day for all her needs and therefore I have serious concerns about her welfare should I be infected with the virus and become either ill, hospitalised, or even worse.

With limited alternative care plans available she would almost certainly end up in a care home.

Once again I feel that volunteer carers like myself have been totally forgotten and ignored.

We fulfil a role in society which is vital, but which receives little or no recognition or reward, not that we seek such because what we do, we do because of love and commitment.

I am aware that so many interest groups feel that they should receive priority, but I ask the question, “What good is it in vaccinating the clinically vulnerable when those who care for them are not?”

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