Lee Sewrey (Improving Lives Plymouth), Emma Crowther (Interim Head of Commissioning), Kate Lattimore (Commissioning officer), and Michelle Thomas (Livewell SW) delivered the ‘Carers Action Plan’ to the Board, and highlighted the following points-

a)    The 2021 Census revealed that 23,956 people in Plymouth provided care to others, and the hours of care provided per annum had increased. Across the UK, unpaid care was valued at around £162 billion per year;

b)    The majority of carers were of working age (26-64) however, there were carers of all ages. Around 70% of unpaid care was provided by women;

c)    Unpaid carers often reported higher levels of stress, depression and anxiety, and were often more vulnerable to other pressures such as the cost of living crisis and relationship stresses;

d)    An estimated 3/5 people would become carers at some point in their lives, although many people did not recognise when they were. It was important that the health and care system was ‘Care-Aware’ and able to recognise carers, as these individuals could benefit from additional support and services;

e)    Local Authorities and the NHS had duties under law, to assess and provide services for carers. The new assurance framework for Adult Social Care (ASC) had a significant policy regarding unpaid carers, upon which Plymouth City Council and partners would be assessed;

f)     The Carers Strategic Partnership Board (CSPB), consisting of the key stakeholders in Health and Care organisations across Plymouth, engaged with carers and supported the implementation of the Plymouth Carers Action Plan;

g)    Many support measures had been introduced including the creation of a Carers Passport, a hospital-based carers support service, contingency planning, and the ‘Mind the Gap’ programme. Support was also being provided to all GP practices to establish a Carers Quality Marker self-assessment and action plan;

h)    The Caring for Carers service was provided by Improving Lives Plymouth, providing support to carers over 18 years old. Funding had been received from ‘The Carers Trust’ to run the Young Carers Service (18-25 year olds) however this was due to expire in March 2024;

i)     Once registered as a carer, Improving Lives Plymouth provided training opportunities, regular assessments, advice, and support groups for those providing care. There was also considerable work undertaken in partnership, to promote training and awareness of carers for health services and providers.

(A ‘Young Adult Carers’ video was played: https://vimeo.com/849086170/9b139b4a28 )

Following questions, the Board discussed-

j)     The significant impact and strains experienced by individuals who became unpaid carers, particularly for those living with the person they cared for;

k)    Potential links between low ‘Female Healthy Life Expectancy’, and the high proportion of female carers;

l)     Promotion of services and support available to unpaid carers, by the City Council and this Board;

m)  The value of social events and interaction for carers’ mental health and wellbeing, particularly socialisation with those experiencing similar circumstances, roles and responsibilities;

n)    The importance and value of offering various methods of accessing advice and support, including telephone, digital, and written media; 

o)    The launch of a Healthwatch survey allowing insight into the wellbeing and isolation experienced by Plymouth carers;

p)    The likely under-recording of carer figures in census data, and the impact on school attendance and performance.

The Committee agreed to-

1.    Request further information regarding the gender dynamics of people cared for;

2.    Request further information regarding the numbers of people who lived with those they cared for, and the number who visited to care;

3.    Request that the Young Carers video was shared with partner organisations and key stakeholder to ensure organisations were ‘care aware’;

4.    Request that the Healthwatch carers survey is made available on the PCC website;

5.    Note the report.