Key Findings
It is estimated that around 1 in 10 of the Oldham population is a carer.
Almost half of carers in Oldham are aged 45-64.
About 3,500 are aged 65 or over. As the Oldham population ages, this group is projected to increase by 20%.
Almost 700 under 16s and 1,600 16-24 year olds, consider themselves to be carers.
23% of carers (5,500) provide 50 or more hours care per week, with half of the carers in the 75-84 or 85+ groups providing 50+ hours of care a week.
12,200 carers are in paid employment.
2,600 were economically inactive due to carer responsibilities and 1,600 because they were sick or disabled themselves.
13% of carers report their own health to be ‘not good’ compared with 10% of the general population.
Key Implications
Priority One: increasing recognition
Early identification of carers, recognition of their contribution and involvement in planning and provision of care packages will improve outcomes for carers.
Improving the provision of information and accessibility and range of training available for carers will help to meet the information and training needs of carers.
Priority Two: realising and releasing potential
The early identification of young carers and the support given to young carers needs to be improved.
This will support them to realise their full potential, including educational and employment opportunities.
Priority Three: a life outside of caring
Increasing personalised support both for carers and those they support will enable them to have a family and community life.
Actions to improve this area can include:-
Increasing the numbers of carers receiving a carer’s need assessment and a carer’s individualised budget.
Helping carers develop peer support groups and increase the support to carers by volunteers and the local community.
Improve the psychological support available to carers, including access to psychological therapies.
Priority Four: carer’s health
Supporting carers to take care of their own physical and mental health and improving access to primary care will help improve physical and mental health outcomes.
Introduction: Why are the needs of carers an important area to consider?
It is estimated that there are approximately 24,122 carers in Oldham[1], more than one in ten of the population.
Carers save the Oldham economy £462.2 million pounds in health and social care provision[2].
Supporting carers to look after their own health and well-being and access support will both improve their lives and significantly delay the need for the person receiving care to go into residential care[3].
Breakdown of carer support is a frequent cause of hospital admission or readmission.
The aging population means that as people live longer, the number of carers required will increase, with national projections suggesting that 60% more carers will be required by 2037.[4]
What has been done for the JSNA?
The JSNA and Strategy for Carers in Oldham 2012-14 was developed in response to the requirement, under the NHS Operating Framework 2012-13 that the Local Authority and the NHS Trust publish joint plans to support carers, assess local needs, draw up joint plans to meet those needs and pool resources to meet these needs.
The Oldham Carers Strategy 2012-14 themes and recommendations were developed following:-
- A review of relevant national policy documents
- A review of the evidence base on carers needs
- The carers involvement groups carers hub review
- Consultation with over 80 carers through a consultation event
- Feedback on the draft recommendations
It is structured around the 4 key priorities within the refreshed National Carers Strategy:
- Carers representation and involvement in service planning.
- Early identification of carers and recognition of carers as partners in care.
- Information and training for carers.
- Young carers and the transition to adulthood.
Implications: What use can stakeholders make of the findings?
Priority One: increasing recognition
Help carers recognise their role at an early stage, recognising the value of their contribution and involving them from the outset both in designing local care provision and in planning individual care packages.
Recommendations
- Continue to ensure that carers are well represented and actively involved in the planning of services for carers.
- Improve earlier identification of carers and fully recognise them as partners in care.
- Provide better information to carers.
Priority Two: realising and releasing potential
Enable those with caring responsibilities to fulfil their educational and employment potential.
Recommendations
- Improve the early identification of young carers and the support given to young carers to help them to realise their full potential.
Priority Three: a life outside of caring
Provide personalised support both for carers and those they support, enabling them to have a family and community life.
Recommendations
- Increase the numbers of carers receiving a carer’s need assessment and a carer’s individualised budget.
Priority Four: carer’s health
Supporting carers to remain mentally and physically well.
Recommendations
- Support carers to take care of their own physical and mental health.
- Make primary care more accessible for carers.
Summary
The implementation of the carers strategy for Oldham will give support to over 23,500 identified carers, support others to identify themselves as carers and improve the quality of life for both carers and those they care for.
A full copy of the JSNA and the strategy is available from the public health department.
[1] Valuing Carers (2011) Calculating the value of carers support. Carers UK, Centre for International Research on Care, Labour and Inequalities, University of Leeds
[2] ibid
[3] RCGP (2012) Supporting Carers: An Action guide for General Practitioners and their teams. 2nd Edition Royal Collage of General Practitioners and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers.
[4] Facts about carers June 2009 [Carers UK Policy Briefing]