Young carers in the NHS

Carers are vital to the health economy, saving the NHS over £132 billion per year.1 This makes it fundamental to support them in both their carer and patient roles. A significant proportion of these carers are aged <18 years. There are 166 363 known young carers in England alone, which is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg.2 Young carers are children and young people 18 years of age who provide regular or ongoing care and emotional support to a family member who is physically or mentally ill, disabled, or misuses substances.2 A BBC survey of UK secondary schools found one in 12 students had moderate or high levels of care responsibilities.3 Wong reports as many as two in every 11 students may have a caring role.4 These numbers are only set to rise with ageing first-time parents and extending life expectancy. It is important that primary care teams are aware of the problems that carers face and are organised to identify, involve, and support them in their roles.5 The Children’s Society report Hidden from View documents the significant and long-lasting impacts that being a carer can have on a young person’s health, wellbeing, and education.2 Young carers have significantly lower educational attainment and around one in 20 misses school because of caring responsibilities. Data suggest that 87% of young carers are aged 10–17 years, with one in eight being <10 years old. They are equally likely to be male or female and most commonly care for a sibling or parent. One survey reported …