GP Patient Survey: A Widening Health Gap For Unpaid Carers

The 2025 GP Patient Survey has revealed a concerning trend: the health of unpaid carers in England has worsened.

The survey reveals that carers were more likely to have felt isolated from others in the last 12 months (18% compared with 14% non-carers).

Carers were also more likely to say they had a long-term condition, disability or illness (61% compared with 49% non-carers). In terms of specific conditions, carers were more likely to report a long-term mental health condition (14% compared with nine per cent), and arthritis or an ongoing problem with their back or joints (22% compared with 15%).

Carers were less satisfied with the appointment they were offered (78% satisfied compared with 84% non-carers). Looking into potential reasons for this, carers were more likely not to take the appointment they were offered because they couldn’t see their preferred GP, the type of appointment they wanted was not available and because they couldn’t book ahead.

Carers were more likely to contact an NHS service when their practice was closed (27% compared with 18% non-carers), and more likely to resort to A&E services instead (27% of those who contacted an NHS service when their practice was closed went to A&E compared with 22% non-carers).

Helen Walker, Chief Executive at Carers UK, said:
“This year’s GP Patient Survey reflects a worrying trend for unpaid carers’ health. 72% of carers said that they have a physical or mental health condition or illness expected to last 12 months or more – an increase from 70% in 2024.”

“There is a growing health gap between carers and non-carers, 61% of whom say they have a long-term condition or illness. These results reflect our own research which shows that the pressures of caring often take their toll, impacting on unpaid carers’ ability to prioritise their own health needs.”

“More than half (57%) of people responding to our latest State of Caring Survey say they feel overwhelmed ‘often’ or ‘always’. Over a third (35%) say they have ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ mental health, compared to 27% in the previous year’s survey.”

“Now is the time to get serious about caring for our carers. Changes in the NHS 10-year plan can’t come soon enough as far too many carers are overwhelmed and at risk of burnout. Challenges with underfunding in social care are also impacting on peoples’ ability to take a break and recharge their batteries.”

“Over half (55%) of unpaid carers looking after a family member or friend take a year or more to realise they are caring. We must see systematic and routine identification of unpaid carers by healthcare professionals and targeted support to deliver practical and emotional help.”