26% of carers in Bristol and 25% of carers in South Gloucestershire have developed their own health conditions since caring. And 50% of carers in Bristol and 46% in South Gloucestershire reported that they had been feeling depressed over the past 12 months. These new figures are from the personal social services survey of adult carers in England and they are higher than the national figures.
The personal social services survey of adult carers in England (SACE) is a survey of adults aged 18 or over caring for someone aged 18 or over. It takes place every two years and nationally, 55,000 carers took part this year.
In Bristol and South Gloucestershire, findings included:
• 50% of carers responding to the survey in Bristol and 46% in South Gloucestershire reported that they had been feeling depressed over the past 12 months. This is higher than the national figure of 42%.
• Approximately 34% of carers in Bristol and 36% in South Gloucestershire had to see their GP because their health was affected by their caring role. The figure nationally was 29.3%.
• 26% of carers in Bristol and 25% of carers in South Gloucestershire developed their own health conditions since caring. This was slightly higher than the national figure of 23%.
• 21% of carers in Bristol and 18.5% of carers in South Gloucestershire who responded to the survey had been looking after someone for at least 20 years. This is similar to the national figure of 21.5%.
• 63% of carers in Bristol spend more than 35 hours per week providing care, 36.5% provide care for over 100 hours per week. In South Gloucestershire, these figures are 50.5% and 26% respectively. Nationally, 58.5% of carers spend more than 35 hours per week providing care and 36% provide care for over 100 hours per week.
• Of the carers who responded to the survey, 5.5% living in Bristol were in full time work and 7% in South Gloucestershire were in full time work. This was less than the national average of 8.5%.
• 11.5% of carers in Bristol and 8.5% in South Gloucestershire also had children under 18 in their care. This is less than the national average of 16.5%.
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