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Whilst I agree with much of this response to the recent government proposal of violence against the UK’s disabled population, I am yet again disappointed that carers are erased from the discourse. Especially distressing and frustrating that this is coming from a significant representative of the medical community.
According to carersuk.org 60% of carers have a long term health condition or disability, and “the rate of poverty amongst unpaid carers is 50% higher in comparison to those who do not provide unpaid care”. These cuts will push families such as mine (a disabled lone parent caring for disabled adult children) into crisis. I don’t have a choice but to provide care and support, they are my children. The lack of consideration for the subsequent impact on carers health and wellbeing is always shocking to me. We plug the gaps poor health care leaves, which often detrimentally impacts our own health. Unpaid carers are subject to the same poor health care provision as the people we care for. Currently we’re already impacted by benefit cuts given Carers Allowance is effectively taken from our universal credit each month, pound for pound, and replaced with a UC premium around half its value.
Any discourse around systemic failures in health and social care and the benefits system MUST include unpaid carers. It’s our labour that plugs the gap. Literally our bodies. Until a consideration of unpaid carers is made at foundational levels of the medical community you’re failing service users and carers, and failing to move towards a healthier nation.
Give solid consideration to my response before replying.
Re: UK welfare reforms threaten health of the most vulnerable
Dear Editor
Whilst I agree with much of this response to the recent government proposal of violence against the UK’s disabled population, I am yet again disappointed that carers are erased from the discourse. Especially distressing and frustrating that this is coming from a significant representative of the medical community.
According to carersuk.org 60% of carers have a long term health condition or disability, and “the rate of poverty amongst unpaid carers is 50% higher in comparison to those who do not provide unpaid care”. These cuts will push families such as mine (a disabled lone parent caring for disabled adult children) into crisis. I don’t have a choice but to provide care and support, they are my children. The lack of consideration for the subsequent impact on carers health and wellbeing is always shocking to me. We plug the gaps poor health care leaves, which often detrimentally impacts our own health. Unpaid carers are subject to the same poor health care provision as the people we care for. Currently we’re already impacted by benefit cuts given Carers Allowance is effectively taken from our universal credit each month, pound for pound, and replaced with a UC premium around half its value.
Any discourse around systemic failures in health and social care and the benefits system MUST include unpaid carers. It’s our labour that plugs the gap. Literally our bodies. Until a consideration of unpaid carers is made at foundational levels of the medical community you’re failing service users and carers, and failing to move towards a healthier nation.
Give solid consideration to my response before replying.
Regards
Abby
Competing interests: No competing interests