New figures from the Carers UK State of Caring Survey 2025 show a significant rise in the number of unpaid carers saying they need better support, from 42% in 2023.
Helen Walker, chief executive at Carers UK, said: ‘Given the value of carers' support to the NHS, which often comes at a cost to their own health and wellbeing, it's not too much to ask to ensure that they are identified and supported. We need a culture change from the NHS towards carers which is rooted in law and delivered consistently through practice.'
Just 14% of carers felt they were asked about their ability and willingness to provide care as part of the hospital discharge process, with 44% saying the person they care for experienced an emergency admission or unplanned visit to hospital in the last 12 months. Under a fifth of carers (18%) said they were confident that any feedback or complaint they make about a health or social care service will be acted on.
The charity's latest report responds to the Government's NHS 10 Year Health Plan unveiled in July, which focuses on a shift from hospital to community, analogue to digital and sickness to prevention.
Carers UK found carers were becoming more confident about using technology, such as the NHS App, demonstrating an appetite for digital tools which can reduce administration and increase information and advice.
Almost a third (31%) of the 44% of carers who said the person they care for had experienced an emergency admission or unplanned hospital visit during the last year said more services provided by the NHS at home would have prevented this.
Most carers were in favour of care closer to home, but 44% expressed concern this could increase their caring responsibilities unless they were supported better. The majority wanted to see better joined up working between health and social care services.
Reaction
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said the report was a ‘wake up call' for the Government, adding: ‘Carers and our NHS cannot afford more of the same. The Government must treat the burden on carers as a national crisis and bring forward plans to guarantee respite care, implement a dedicated carer service in every hospital and fix the broken Carer's Allowance system without delay.'
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘We recognise the immense contribution of carers who selflessly dedicate their time to supporting others. Our 10-Year Health Plan will support unpaid carers, including by adding a new feature to the NHS App called "MyCarer" which will give them vital access to information and services, as well as appointments and clinical guidance.
‘We have already taken decisive action to reform social care, increasing Carer's Allowance for unpaid carers by £2,000, providing up to an extra £3.7bn for social care authorities and funding an extra 15,000 home adaptations for disabled people.
‘This Government is also committed to building a National Care Service that is fair and affordable for all.'
