Health and Care Experience Survey 2025 to 2026: National Report

Experiences of Carers

Characteristics of carers and support received

16% of respondents reported that they regularly “help, support or look after someone because they were living with long-term physical / mental health / disability or problems related to old age”. This is the same as in 2023 to 2024.

Of those who provided regular care or support, 41% cared for their parent or grandparent and 32% for their spouse / partner.

Figure 12: Carers by who they help or support, survey year ending 2026, weighted percentages.

Note: Respondents were able to tick more than one response to this question so percentages will not sum to 100.

15% of carers did not get any support or help, but felt they needed some.

Figure 13: ‘Have you received any support to help with your caring role in the last 12 months?’, survey year ending 2026, weighted percentages.

Note: Respondents were able to tick more than one response to this question so percentages will not sum to 100.

The survey also asked whether carers had received an assessment of their needs as a carer, or a written plan about their caring role and support. 87% responded “No” (89% in 2023 to 2024), 8% responded ‘Yes’ (6% in 2023 to 2024) and 5% didn’t know (same as in 2023 to 2024).

Impact of caring and support for carers

Carers were asked whether they agreed with a number of statements about how they felt as a carer most of the time, based on the principles of person-centred care. While 61% agreed that they have a good balance between caring and other things in their life, 25% of carers disagreed with the statement “I feel supported to continue caring” and 39% carers felt that “caring has had a negative impact on their health and wellbeing.”

25% of carers disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement “I feel supported to continue caring”.

Figure 14: Statements related to how carers feel as a carer most of the time, survey year ending 2026, weighted percentages.