Carers Trust responds to GP Patient Survey showing toll caring has on health and wellbeing
Figures from the 2023 GP Patient Survey show 64% of unpaid carers report having a long-term health condition or disability compared to 54% of non-carers. Of those with a health condition or disability, 39% of carers said they haven’t had enough support to manage their condition.
Responding to the findings, Carers Trust’s CEO Kirsty McHugh said:
“The survey provides yet more evidence of the devastating impact being an unpaid carer can have on health and wellbeing. Carers Trust research shows unpaid carers are having to spend increasing amounts of time looking after sick and disabled relatives and almost two-thirds have been forced to give up paid work or cut back on hours, so it is sadly unsurprising that this also has an effect on their health. It is vital that the local carer organisations which support them are properly funded and that a long-term plan is implemented to fix the crisis-hit social care system that millions of unpaid carers are propping up.”
For further information, please contact:
Mark Chandler, mchandler@carers.org and 07712 427808
About Carers Trust
Carers Trust is the UK charity working to transform the lives of unpaid carers across the UK. It partners with its network of local carer organisations to provide funding and support, deliver innovative and evidence-based programmes and raise awareness & influence policy. Carers Trust’s vision is that unpaid carers are heard and valued, with access to support, advice and resources to enable them to live fulfilled lives.