William Eichler 25 June 2019

Carers increasingly ‘depressed’, survey reveals

Carers are feeling stressed and depressed working in what is an increasingly over-stretched and underfunded care system, a new survey has revealed.

NHS Digital’s survey of 50,800 adult carers in England found that 60.6% reported feeling stressed in 2018-19 – up from 58.7% in 2016-17.

The percentage of carers who reported feeling depressed also increased from 43.4% in 2016-173 to 45.1% in 2018-19.

The care sector, which currently employs over 1.45 million people, has been hit hard by the combination of Government cuts and an ageing population.

The Local Government Association estimates that adult social care services face a £3.5bn funding gap by 2025 just to maintain existing standards of care.

This has had a negative impact on staff recruitment and morale. According to the charity Skills for Care, around 390,000 people leave their care jobs every year.

Of all the carers who took part in the NHS Digital survey, 77.8% reported ‘feeling tired’ and 66.0% said that they experienced ‘disturbed sleep’.

More than three quarters of people surveyed (76.0%) said that they spend over 20 hours per week looking after the cared-for person, with 38.7% spending over 100 hours per week on their caring duties.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Casual Support Worker

Oxfordshire County Council
£25992 - £28163
About Us Abingdon Community Support Service's primary purpose is to support adults to engage with a stimulating programme of meaningful individual and rewarding group activities. The Social and Community Services vision is to support and promote strong c Abingdon Community Support Service
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Quality and Review Support Assistant

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824 Pro-rata
WHAT IS INVOLVED?   You will provide administrative, clerical and typing services to the Quality & Review Service, specifically in support of the Inde Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Duty Manager

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £28,142 - £31,022 per annum
We have an opportunity for a Duty Manager at Meadowfield Leisure Centre.  WHAT IS INVOLVED? You will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of t Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824 Pro-rata
WHAT IS INVOLVED?   You should be an enthusiastic team player who takes pride in providing excellent customer service.  You will have good communicati Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824 Pro-rata
We have an exciting opportunity for a permanent Support Officer to join our dedicated team within Business Services (part time 22 hours).   WHAT IS IN Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner