Healthwatch Southampton worked in partnership with Unpaid Carers in
Southampton (UCS) to develop and distribute a short survey to unpaid adult carers.
The focus of the survey was to seek the views of unpaid carers on respite breaks and
their experiences of being identified and listened to by health and social care
services in Southampton. The survey was available to complete digitally, and paper
copies were available too . A summary of our recommendations based on the
feedback from unpaid carers is listed below. Have a look at Our Work page for the full report.
Recommendations
1. Health and Social Care services should make it easier for unpaid carers to access
support.
2. Health and Social Care services should explore further, the experiences of unpaid
carers when supporting their cared-for-people to access health and social care
services. All staff working in health and social care services need to better
understand the role of unpaid carers.
3. It is important for health and social care professionals to really listen to unpaid
carers and support them.
4. Unpaid Carers Support (UCS) should continue to provide regular respite breaks for
unpaid carers away from cared-for-person and occasional opportunities for
activities where the cared-for-person can attend as well.
5. Health and Social Care professionals must also consider that unpaid carers may
have their own additional needs for support. Professionals must ensure that carers
have equal access to information and support that is available.