Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that NHS (a) policies and (b) guidance support unpaid family carers providing care in the home.

The Government recognises the vital role unpaid carers play in supporting those they care for and the National Health Service has clear duties to involve carers in care and discharge planning.

NHS England has issued guidance on identifying and supporting carers, including through primary care, and general practices are encouraged to record carers on patient records and signpost them to appropriate support. Integrated care systems are responsible for ensuring local services work together effectively to support unpaid carers.

The 10-Year Health Plan commits to enabling unpaid carers to have proxy access to medical records, test results and online prescriptions for the person they care for, with their consent, from 2026/27.

Under the Care Act 2014, carers are entitled to an assessment of their needs and support where eligible. Work is underway to implement the strengthened duties in the Health and Care Act 2022, including requirements on integrated care boards to involve carers in commissioning decisions and on involving unpaid carers in hospital discharge, aligned with the new CQC assessment approach.

The Government has also made funding available to local authorities, including through the Better Care Fund, to support carers’ services and promote joined-up working between health and social care.

We will continue to work with NHS England, local authorities and partners to ensure unpaid carers are recognised, valued and supported.