The GHS is the main source of national data on informal caring. Modules of questions have been run since 1985 on a periodic basis, most recently in 1995.  The module has been streamlined and new questions asking about the effect of caring on respondents’ health and social life have been added.  For the first time, the 2001 Census included a question on informal carers, using a question which related closely to those used in the GHS, thus allowing comparisons to be made between the two sets of data. The results from the GHS trailer on informal carers are to be published in a separate report due out early in 2002. It should also be noted that informal carers identified through the GHS sample were asked to take part in a further study, conducted by SSD on behalf of the Department of Health, to investigate their health and well-being. The results are to be published in 2002.