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

Storytelling and Case Studies Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Starting Salary from £43,545 FTE based on Skill
Job Title Storytelling and Cas... Wandsworth Town Hall/hybrid
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Head of Housing Development

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
UP to £116,847
Job Title- Head of Housing Development Salary – UP to £116,847 Permanent – Fulltime (36hours) Location- Wandsworth Town Hall, London Are you experienced in Local Government Housing Association/Development? If yes, you are invited to consider th Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Chief of Staff

Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk
up to £126,615
We’re transforming services with ambition and community at the heart of our work. Norfolk
Recuriter: Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk

Director of People

Lancashire County Council
£108,697 - £117,998
As a leader at Lancashire County Council, you’ll join an authority with real scale, courageous ambition and deep pride in place. County hall
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council

Director of Strategy and Transformation

Lancashire County Council
£108,697 - £117,998
As a leader at Lancashire County Council, you’ll join an authority with real scale, courageous ambition and deep pride in place. Preston, Lancashire
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council
Linkedin Banner