Carers Scotland is calling for urgent investment in physical and mental health support for unpaid carers, as it today reveals the ‘devastating’ impacts the health and social care crisis is having on the health and wellbeing of Scotland’s 800,000 unpaid carers.

The second report in a three-part series, published on National Carers Rights Day, shows that 36% of the surveyed carers said they have had thoughts related to self-harm or suicide.

More than half of carers reported their physical health suffered because of their caring role, with one in five suffering a physical injury from caring and 41% putting off healthcare treatment due to caring responsibilities.

Meanwhile, more than a quarter of surveyed carers said their mental health is ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’, rising to 27% for those carers on Carer’s Allowance – now to be replaced by Scotland’s Carer Support Payment.

Carers Scotland says these figures show the ongoing struggle Scottish carers face and highlight the need for more support and care.

Richard Meade, Director of Carers Scotland, says:

“The findings in this report paint a stark picture of carers buckling under the strain of propping up a failing health and social care system.

“Where social care cannot provide a service, it is unpaid carers who are expected to step in, where the NHS needs a “bed” it is carers who are left to support discharge. This all comes at a great physical and mental health cost to carers and for many this is growing into a significant burden of care, which is pushing them to the brink of collapse.”

Carers Scotland is calling for the development of a Carers Health Plan, in recognition of the role played by caregiving responsibilities in health and wellbeing.

The charity says such a plan should outline short, medium and long-term aims to improve the health of unpaid and young carers and prevent long-term health inequalities.

Additionally, it recommends that actions within the National Carers Strategy to deliver flexible health appointments for carers, including replacement care for appointments, should be progressed ‘at pace’.

Carers Scotland says that NHS boards, local councils and local health and social care partnerships also have a role to play in improving the health and wellbeing of carers, and should develop plans to deliver regular health checks for carers and provide concessionary or free access to leisure services, to reduce isolation.

Increased investment in mental and physical health supports, including better identification, information and needs assessments for carers and more funding for caring breaks, are among other key recommendations.

The report states:

‘Despite their huge contribution to the Scottish economy, to our communities and to the lives of the people they care for, carers are facing deteriorating physical and mental health, loneliness and isolation with too many driven to deep mental despair as they are denied the support they need to maintain a healthy life.’

This comes as Scotland’s Deputy First Minister says the Westminster autumn budget delivers the ‘worst case scenario’ for Scotland’s finances including a negligible change in the health budget despite inflation.

Director of Carers Scotland Richard Meade added that without action to better support carers, Scotland is on the verge of another public health crisis:

“We are deeply concerned that without proper support and a focus on improving the wellbeing of unpaid carers then Scotland is walking into another public health crisis, as carers will simply not be able to continue leading to even more pressure on NHS and social care services.

“We need urgent action now from government and partners, including dedicated funding and planning, to ensure that carers can access the health services they need as well as support from social care to give carers a break from caring to prevent the shocking levels of poor health they are experiencing and improve their wellbeing to enable them to continue caring.” 

Read more: Carers in ‘devastating' financial hardship; Holyrood scrutinises SDS 10 years on; New benefit launched for unpaid carers; Outstanding questions stall NCS scrutiny; Women's Health Champion: progress in primary care

Sign up to our bulletin for key health & social care updates straight to your inbox and you can follow healthandcare.scot on Google News.