ALLIANCE Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry evidence – Impact on unpaid carers
- Area of Work: Policy and Research
- Type: News Item
- Published: 9th May 2024
Our Chief Officer, Sara Redmond, gave an evidence briefing to the Scottish Covid-19 Inquiry on unpaid carers.
The ALLIANCE’s Chief Officer, Sara Redmond, was invited by the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry to give evidence on the impact of the pandemic on unpaid carers on 8 May 2024.
Throughout the pandemic, unpaid carers and carer organisations the ALLIANCE that they felt that they were overlooked in decisions being made. Carers were having to move to full time caring roles without acknowledgment or warning, there was a lack of clarity and confusion in information and communication, fear and isolation compounding negative impacts on mental health and wellbeing, an impact on relationships, a lack of recognition of trauma and provision of impractical support and advice.
The ALLIANCE knows that the virus and the impacts of the resulting restrictions have disempowered many unpaid carers in their ability to access health services and negatively impacted their health and human rights.
When unpaid carers find it difficult accessing health care and support, it does not solely impact them but also the people they provide care and support for. At the Living with COVID-19 Carers Parliament event, participants outlined their concerns about carers becoming unwell, and the implications that this would have on their caring responsibilities and for the people they support, particularly where there is a lack of contingency planning and support from social care services.
Exacerbating this is the stark impact the pandemic had on the third sector: many third sector health and social care organisations closed at the outset of the pandemic, faced loss of fundraised income and volunteers, and employment cuts. This meant that vital services were not being delivered in some areas, with an ensuing impact on social care packages. The third sector continues to be undervalued and under resourced.
For future learning we recommend that:
- Unpaid carers can access social and community care when needed.
- Person centred support and care is embedded across services.
- Inclusive and accessible communications and guidance is provided.
- Co-production with unpaid carers is prioritised.
- Fair funding for the third sector is delivered.
- Accountability mechanisms are sustained.
You can watch the clip of Sara giving evidence to the Scottish COVID-19 here. or you can read the evidence briefing in full via the link below.
End of page.
You may also like:
Young people’s feedback will help NHS 24 better understand needs and improve support services.
Continue readingALLIANCE input and lived experience evidence help shape stronger, person-centred and trauma-informed maternity care
Continue readingSupporting stronger information rights, while warning delivery must work for an already stretched sector
Continue readingA new resource by Adaptation Scotland to help social care professionals integrate climate adaptation into care planning and delivery.
Continue readingRead more about the ALLIANCE response to the report on the impact of COVID-19 on the health and social care sector in Scotland.
Continue readingUp to £20 million to be delivered via Independent Living Fund to help people live in their communities
Continue readingRefined plans focus on practical measure to improve outcomes for people with learning disabilities, autism and neurodivergence.
Continue readingMarie Curie has published new analysis showing that almost one in three people in Scotland die without the palliative care they need.
Continue readingShare your views before 19 February
Continue readingReform of the council tax system is long overdue, with the current system negatively impacting funding for services including social care.
Continue readingFirst monitoring report shows improvements in wellbeing and services alongside ongoing gaps in data and unequal outcomes
Continue readingProgress in many areas is welcome, but the budget must go further on social care, mental health and third sector support.
Continue readingThe 'joint statement on prevention' partners have issued a follow-up ahead of the 2026-27 Scottish Budget.
Continue readingEvent calls for human rights to be a priority ahead of the Scottish Parliament Elections in 2026.
Continue readingCommission raises concerns over the state of economic, social and cultural rights in Scotland
Continue readingNew online platform invites individuals and communities to shape Scotland’s path to net zero
Continue readingA survey of ALLIANCE third sector members found a worsening financial crisis arising from a range of pressures.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE has produced a briefing for the Scottish Parliament debate on BSL, taking place on 11 December 2025.
Continue readingScottish Government outline actions in response to economic, social and cultural rights observations
The plan comes in response to the Concluding Observations from the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights earlier this year.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE urges stronger social care integration, a clearer prevention focus and digital inclusion at the heart of NHS Delivery proposals
Continue readingNearly half of unpaid carers cut back on essentials as financial and health pressures intensify
Continue readingNew report warns thousands spending their final months in financial hardship and fuel poverty
Continue readingIndependent expert panel review recommends major changes to align abortion law with modern clinical practice
Continue readingALLIANCE and Engender call for an intersectional and rights-based approach to underpin a national investigation into maternity services.
Continue readingThe response welcomes ambition of draft standards but identifies key gaps in inclusion and communication
Continue reading