Emily Holzhausen CBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Carers UK, said:

"The Darzi review is a hugely important report demonstrating the role and the value of the NHS not just to patients, unpaid carers, staff, but also to the wider economy and the health of the nation.  

"We know from the the 4.7 million unpaid carers in England, 1.4 million of whom provide more than 50 hours of care per week, that they are much more likely to be in ill-health as well as struggling to plug the gaps left by a struggling NHS and underfunded social care system. The impacts on unpaid carers are huge. 

"In our State of Caring 2023 survey, 30% of respondents, most of whom were providing substantial unpaid care for disabled, ill or older relatives or friends, had been waiting for specialist treatment for over year.  Unpaid carers told us that this was affecting their own ability to care, their health and wellbeing and employment opportunities.  Many then face poverty as a result of poor health and inability to work. 

"Despite having clear rights to be consulted at the point of hospital discharge before they take on care, 60% of carers providing substantial care told us that they were not involved in that discharge, and yet they were the ones who would be taking on the care of someone with considerable needs.   

"This review recognises that this lack of engagement and support leads to poorer outcomes not just for carers, but for patients, too.  

"We are delighted that the Darzi review has recognised the role of carers and has recommended  'a fresh approach' which regards unpaid carers both as people with their own needs where caring is a significant factor in their lives, but also as a provider of care who should be treated as an equal partner. We and our members who are unpaid carers, look forward to working with the Government and the NHS to look at the NHS Plan and the biggest reimagining of the NHS yet."