Marie Curie responds to a new report from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) about the average number of years people are expected to provide and health outcomes for unpaid carers:
Ruth Driscoll, Associate Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the UK's leading end of life charity Marie Curie, said:
"The new data brings home the heavy toll that unpaid carers shoulder. It's deeply concerning to read that this group are more likely to be in poor health and have low mental wellbeing. Unpaid carers of people with a terminal illness play a vital role in plugging the gaps in end of life care, with very little public recognition. It's worth noting that if unpaid carers fall ill due to a lack of support then this can add pressure on the NHS as both the carer and the dying person become reliant on our health services. In many cases this is avoidable if unpaid carers were better identified and supported.
"In this election year, Marie Curie wants to see the next UK Government lead a more robust approach to identifying and supporting carers, alongside more respite care and financial help through Carers Allowance. Only then can we say that, as a society, we are recognising the vital role that carers have and ensuring that their wellbeing and interests don't get swept under the carpet."