"The King’s Fund’s findings reflect what unpaid carers tell us time and again: when health and social care services fail to work together, it is often families and friends who are left to fill the gaps. Our research shows that over half (52%) of carers are providing more hours of care than they were a year ago, highlighting the growing pressures on carers as health and social care services struggles to keep pace with demand.”

 

"Unpaid carers are frequently coordinating care, chasing information between services, managing appointments and advocating for their loved ones, often while juggling work, family life and their own health needs. This can be exhausting and overwhelming.

 

"Better integration between health and social care is not just about improving patients’ experiences – it is also about recognising the vital role that unpaid carers play and ensuring they are properly identified, involved and supported.

 

"Carers provide an estimated £184 billion worth of care each year, yet too many are left to navigate fragmented systems with little help. As policymakers look to improve the way services work together, the voices and experiences of unpaid carers must be central to reform. A truly joined-up system should reduce the pressures on carers, not rely on them to bridge the gaps."