Top NHS leaders have offered their support for Carers Week 2023. Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of NHS England tweeted:
“Unpaid carers are essential partners for the NHS, whose incredible contributions each and every day we should all recognise and value. Thank you, especially to my NHS colleagues who also care for someone, for all that you do.”
Dame Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer at NHS England, also showed her support by saying on Twitter:
“Unpaid carers make such an enormous contribution with the care they provide and we must ensure that they are visible, valued and supported. Thank you to all carers and our special thanks to our #teamCNO and NHS colleagues who provide care for loved ones outside of work.”
This came on the back of NHS England highlighting the fact that their staff survey had found a staggering 1 in 3 of their staff were unpaid carers. Research by the University of Sheffield and Carers UK found that carers’ support in England was valued at £162 billion a year, the same as funding for the NHS.
The Carers Week research showed that 22% of people said that health professionals had helped them to identify as carers and 12% of people working said that their employer had identified themselves as a carer.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:
“It’s really great that senior NHS leaders, like Amanda and Ruth, are helping to raise awareness of this vital issue by showing their personal support and recognition for unpaid carers during Carers Week. We know that can make a great difference and we encourage other senior leaders throughout the NHS to follow suit.
“Unpaid carers really are essential partners for the NHS. Health professionals can make a huge difference by making sure that they help people to identify as unpaid carers, giving them the right support to help them care and to protect their own health and wellbeing.”