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Developing Carer Friendly
Connections across the NHS
What does this mean?
Building a Carer friendly community across the NHS means that the health service identifies and recognises the crucial role of Family & Friend Carers, treats them as partners in care, whilst also promoting and protecting their health and wellbeing.  
It means unpaid Carers are visible throughout the NHS — embedded in strategy, recognised in policy, and acknowledged in every interaction.
Every part of the NHS has a role to play in supporting unpaid carers and everyone can make a difference
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Why is it important?
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Carers’ support is worth £184 billion a year – the equivalent of a second NHS. [1] The NHS relies heavily on unpaid Carers to provide care, but does not always provide the support they need
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Carers’ health and wellbeing is worse than non-carers. [2]  
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Carers also have poorer mental health than non-carers. [3]
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One in eight Carers providing substantial levels of care provides over 40 hours per month in NHS-related admin support. [4]
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Young Carers aged 16-24 are more likely to have mental and physical health needs than young people without caring responsibilities (60% vs 44%). [5]
How? 
There are many ways in which the NHS can make a difference to Carers – to support better outcomes for them and the patient, as well as protecting their health, wellbeing and futures. 
This includes:
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Strategic planning which recognises Carers in their own right, including young Carers and includes specific measures to support them.  
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Delivering or commissioning the right services which support unpaid Carers of all ages.
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Identifying unpaid Carers as early as possible and putting in specific support in place – from information and advice to tailored support.  
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Upholding and promoting the rights and entitlements of Carers of all ages, including young Carers.
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All healthcare professionals ‘think Carer’ as a default.
Health Services
at the Conference
Wirral University Teaching Hospital, recognises and appreciates the vital role Carers play in the life of all of our patients and we have joined the Regional Carers Passport scheme, We want to promote a culture that recognises Carers and their needs within our hospital
Primary Care Networks
In Wirral, Primary Care Networks (PCNs) are groups of GP practices that work together to provide integrated healthcare services.
They aim to improve health outcomes and offer a range of services, including health management programs and community health initiatives.
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership
Recovery is strengthened by the involvement of carers, family, and community networks.
Support available to carers, how they can be involved, and the wider services that can help beyond the ward.
Integrated teams transforming care for patients living with frailty and long-term conditions across Wirral.
Wirral’s integrated care teams – principally made up of NHS community services and Primary Care Network (PCN) staff working with other NHS colleagues, adult social care and voluntary partners – proactively reach out to patients following a referral from their GP, or community team, followed by home visits to develop a personalised care and support plan.
Improving Carers’ Access to Health and Social Care Services in Wirral.
Our findings highlight a need for:
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Better and earlier identification of Carers
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More Carer‑inclusive GP and primary care services
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Improved access to digital health tools
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Clearer, more accessible information about Carers’ rights
Health Screening
Various NHS Health Screening Advice Services will be represented at the conference.
Visit this section again in April to find out more.
References
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Petrillo, M., Zhang, J., and Bennett, M.R. (2024) Valuing Carers 2021/2022: the value of unpaid care in the UK. London: Carers UK.
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ONS (2024) Unpaid care expectancy and health outcomes of unpaid carers
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Carers UK (2025) State of Caring: The impact of caring on carers’ mental health and the need for support from social care services
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Carers UK (2025) A fresh new approach to supporting unpaid carers: Our vision for delivering the NHS 10 Year Health Plan in England
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Carers UK analysis of GP Patient Survey (2025)