Seven in ten unpaid carers face day services that are reduced or closed due to covid-19 and staffing shortages, a survey by a leading charity has found.

Of the more than 8,000 surveyed unpaid carers, close to 70% are worried critical support they need to care for their loved ones will be further reduced.

More than half are concerned funding cuts will mean they lose access to support from charities and voluntary groups.

The findings echo those of the Fraser of Allander Institute, whose recent survey of unpaid carers supporting people with learning difficulties revealed not one had seen their support return to pre-pandemic levels.

The report found many formal support facilities, such as day centres, have still not re-opened and those that have face increased pressure and risk of permanent closure.

Lead author Emma Congreve told healthandcare.scot “it’s almost as if everyone knows that support won’t be returning back to normal but no one is properly having that conversation”.

Scotland is set to receive an extra £1.1bn a year from the health and social care levy by 2024.

But Carers Scotland warns these funds will not come in time for the winter.

The charity says the UK government’s Comprehensive Spending Review, which will conclude this month, needs to prioritise social care so Scotland can benefit from the consequential funding in the short-run.

Simon Hodgson, Director of Carers Scotland said: “Unpaid carers have been under enormous pressure for years but we are at a crossroads where without adequate funding for social care now, carers will be pushed over the edge.

“As any additional social care funding through the Health and Social Care levy will not start this winter, carers could be facing a difficult future

“They will not be able to cope if we go on like this and the social care system they prop up would collapse without the care they provide.”

Carers Scotland’s research on unpaid carers across the UK during the pandemic will be released in full next month.

Social Care Minister Kevin Stewart said:

“The Scottish government is extremely aware of the value of day services to adults with additional support needs and their families. We have been working closely with all local areas to ensure that services are delivered safely. Day services can now operate with greater capacity due to the reduction in physical distancing, allowing people to return to their normal routines.”

 

Read more: Learning disability support cuts “under the radar”; NHS to be "priority" for new social care tax revenues

Sign up to our bulletin for key health & social care updates straight to your inbox.