Unpaid carers, whether they are family members, friends or neighbours, are often the people holding everything together when someone becomes unwell.

They support people through hospital stays, help them recover at home and often take on new responsibilities with very little notice. Involving carers properly is not just a tick box exercise.

It is a legal requirement, the right thing to do and it makes a real difference to outcomes for everyone.

What the law says about involving carers

There is a strong legal framework that makes it clear carers must be involved in decisions about a person’s care, treatment and discharge planning.

Under the Care Act 2014, carers have clear rights of their own. They have a right to  choose whether or not they feel able to provide care. They are also entitled to a carers needs assessment, along with information and advice about support that may be available to them. The focus is not just on the person being cared for, but on the carer’s health and wellbeing too.

The Health and Care Act 2022 went a step further. It strengthened existing duties and placed a clear responsibility on NHS Trusts to involve unpaid carers as early as possible when planning a patient’s discharge from hospital. This means recognising carers as partners, sharing information and making sure they feel prepared and supported before someone goes home.

Nationally and locally, this is backed up by policy. Early identification and involvement of carers is a recognised NHS priority, and in local areas there is a clear expectation that hospitals have plans in place to improve how carers are supported. In short, involving carers is not optional.

It is also simply the right thing to do

Legal duties aside, involving carers just makes sense. Carers usually know the person better than anyone else. They understand what works at home, what might be difficult and what support is realistically available.

When carers are left out of conversations, it can lead to anxiety, confusion and unsafe situations after discharge. Being open, honest and inclusive helps build trust and shows respect for the vital role carers play. It also recognises that caring can take a real toll on someone’s own health and wellbeing.

Everyone benefits when carers are involved

Getting carer involvement right brings clear benefits.

Patients often recover better and spend less time in hospital when carers are involved early. Care plans are more realistic and better suited to life at home.

Carers have a better experience too. Being involved in discussions allows them to ask questions, raise concerns and feel more confident about what lies ahead. Problems are more likely to be picked up early rather than escalating later.

For health and care services, involving carers supports safer and quicker discharges. Carers often have a deep understanding of the person’s needs, which helps with planning and supports patient flow. When carers feel prepared, people are less likely to be readmitted, which is better for everyone and helps reduce pressure on the system and the people working and receiving care.

What makes a real difference in practice

There are a few simple but important actions that can transform how carers are supported.

First, identify carers early. Ask who supports the patient and make sure this is clearly recorded and shared.

Second, support carers properly. Involve them in conversations, check how they are coping and make sure they know their rights to assessment and support.

Finally, signpost effectively. Many carers do not know what help is out there. Linking them to local authority support, voluntary and community organisations or carers services can make a huge difference.

Working together across the care pathway

Supporting carers is not something one team or organisation can do alone. It needs a joined up, multi agency approach across the whole care pathway.

When health, social care and voluntary sector partners work together, information flows better and support is more coordinated. This helps create safer discharges, smoother transitions and better long term outcomes.

By involving carers consistently and working collaboratively, we can support people to leave hospital safely, live well at home and recognise the invaluable contribution carers make every day.