One of the targets outlined in the four year action plan which was included with the recently published health strategy is the strengthening of the role of the general practitioner, the public health nurse, the home help and other primary care professionals is supporting older people and their carers who live at home. Support services for dependent people, such as respite care, will also be strengthened. The amount of respite care, home-help and public health nursing to be provided for any disabled person and his or her carer will depend on the circumstances of the individual and family concerned.