Red tape is the biggest worry for carers

THE biggest stress unpaid carers face is not the work and attention involved in their duties, but dealing with local authority systems, it has been warned.

A group of carers has told MSPs that filling out forms, securing financial help and requesting assistance is harder than actual caring.

Politicians in attendance at the presentation vowed to seek improvements.

Health and sport committee convener, MSP Duncan McNeil, said: “There is clearly a huge squeeze on services, resulting in major challenges for all sides. We heard that it is the care support system, and not the care giving, that is causing stress.

“At present, the inspection agency is not hearing the voices of the carers and users at the chalk face of the care provision service.”