From the Editor: Majority of people worried about accessing care in later life

The survey of 2,000 adults has revealed what people see as the major causes of the current problems with the UK care system, with almost three quarters of those questioned (72 per cent) believing that they will not be able access care in the future.

Funding issues were cited by 57 per cent of respondents, while 59 per cent blamed a failure to pay carers significantly more than minimum wage. Respondents also pointed to failings by successive governments (50 per cent), an inefficient care system (44 per cent), a lack of well-trained carers (41 per cent), while 40 per cent felt there were not enough carers available.

More than half of the respondents (52 per cent) believe that carers should earn more than working in the retail or hospitality sectors, and almost a third (32 per cent) said that the NHS needs support from private care providers to improve the situation as, worryingly, 32 per cent do not know how they will be able to afford care in the future.

According to Patrick Wallace, co-founder of Curam, the results of the survey highlight the urgent need for action to be taken to address public opinion and the problems facing the UK care system.

He said: “Many people are deeply concerned about their ability to access care in later life, and that they believe the system is currently failing those in need. At the heart of the issue is the failure of the care system to modernise to be able to pay carers a decent wage.”

Commenting on the survey, Tina Woods, CEO of Collider Health and Business for Health, added: “The NHS and care system is experiencing a workforce crisis, which in turn is affecting the care available for an ageing population that is getting sicker. This is fuelling a vicious circle of inadequate care that will only be resolved by preventing ill health and by attracting and keeping more care staff with the right incentives.”

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Matt Seex, Editor