Eighty-nine per cent of unpaid carers had treatments postponed or cancelled during COVID-19

A new study shows 89 per cent of unpaid carers had NHS treatments cancelled or postponed during lockdown as many could not find the time or get replacement care to receive treatment.

The new research carried out by the Universities of Birmingham and Sheffield, in partnership with Carers UK also states 58 per cent of unpaid carers were unable to get through to NHS 111 services in April.

This was at a time when 70 per cent of carers had to provide more care for older, disabled or seriously ill relatives or friends, and millions more people took on an unpaid caring role.

This compares to 33 per cent of the general public.

Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said: “Some carers have had to cope for months without any outside support, seeing the health, wellbeing and mobility of the person they care for deteriorate, and their own physical and mental health heavily impacted as well.

“With a large number of support services still closed, carers are desperate for a break. It is imperative that these services are reopened as soon as possible and that local authorities undertake a rapid reassessment of carers’ needs. Likewise, the NHS must quickly identify carers and prioritise their needs and medical treatment. If their health breaks down, the cost will be catastrophic.

“Carers must not be left unaided should there be a second wave or future lockdowns. Their care is vital to supporting older and disabled people in our communities.”

’Some of the restrictions had troubling effects on carers’

Previous research has shown that the pressure of lockdown has taken a huge toll on unpaid carers’ mental health, with many reporting feeling isolated, overwhelmed and worried about burning out.

Those with acute mental health needs have been unable to get help, with the latest findings showing 42 per cent of carers needing psychotherapist services were unable to access them in.

Half of carers needing formal care services could not get them in April, and 40 per cent in May.

Professor Sue Yeandle, head of the Sustainable Care programme at Sheffield University, said: “COVID-19 has focused new attention on the importance of care. As this new report shows, some of the restrictions government introduced in spring 2020 had troubling effects on carers.

“We hope the report will raise awareness of this situation so that, in any similar future scenario, carers can be protected from being unable to access crucial health and care services.”

As well as being unable to access services, at the height of lockdown carers felt more financially insecure, compared to the general public, especially women. 1.3 million carers said they were finding it very difficult to get by, quite difficult to get by or were just about getting by.

Working age carers aged 31-45 felt the most financially insecure.

In its Recovery Plan, Carers UK is calling for unpaid carers to be prioritised as part of the government’s recovery planning. Specific recommendations include:

• Systematic reviews and planning to ensure that those carers most at risk of poor wellbeing and burn out get support

• Urgent reassessment of carers’ support needs by local authorities

• Reinstatement of care and support services as soon as possible

• Should another lockdown occur, carers to have priority access to the NHS 111 service and their planned medical treatment to be prioritised going forward

• Sustained investment in carers’ mental health, wellbeing and ability to care

• Carers’ voices and experiences put at the heart of building future recovery, locally and nationally

To read the Caring and COVID: Loneliness and Use of Services report click here

To read the Caring and COVID: Financial Wellbeing report click here