Yesterday several amendments firmly supported by Carers UK to the Health Bill were discussed at Committee Stage. These were not included to stand as part of the Health Bill. These amendments were:

• A duty on Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to identify and record unpaid carers  (NC17)
• A duty on health bodies to provide information and advice to unpaid carers (NC89)
• A duty on ICBs to promote the health and wellbeing of carers (NC16)
• A right to a break for unpaid carers via a National Respite Care Scheme (NC18)

Emily Holzhausen CBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, said:

“Whilst we welcome the minister’s acknowledgement of the invaluable contribution unpaid carers make and progress being made to strengthen support, including the forthcoming Carers Action Plan, there is still more to do to ensure that carers are better supported through the NHS.

“It is positive to hear that work is underway to improve how the health system identifies and supports carers, such as the Single Patient Record and new guidance for GPs. However, the reality is that carers’ experiences are falling short when dealing with the NHS and rising numbers say they need more support. More than half (51%) now say they need more support from the NHS, up from 42% just two years ago.  

"Too often carers remain invisible in health bodies' planning and that results in a stark lack of consistency in the delivery of support.  Not only is this detrimental to carers' health and wellbeing, but it also results in poorer outcomes for patients, despite carers' best efforts.

"The fact that families caring don't receive the right information and advice early enough, despite being responsible day in, day out for caring for someone is simply not good enough. Carers often feel left in the dark about how to provide care for someone who is chronically or seriously ill.  We need stronger legal provisions to ensure that NHS bodies recognise and support carers properly. 

“We need a fundamental reset in the relationship between unpaid carers and the NHS which recognises carers as equal partners in care. Unpaid carers contribute care worth an estimated £151.8 billion every year in England - the equivalent of a second NHS - yet too often they remain overlooked by the very system they help to sustain.

“Identification rates must improve significantly, particularly in GP practices where only one in five unpaid carers are currently recorded because caring is a social determinant of health. The GP Patient Survey 2025 found that 72% of carers have a physical or mental health condition or illness.  We continue to believe that a stronger legislative footing is essential to ensure that carers are recognised earlier and receive the support they need.” 

Carers UK has welcomed the introduction of the Single Patient Record and Minister's assurances that regulations will consider unpaid carers' access to the record, with the right patient permissions in place.