Blogs

Most people will care at some point in their lives for a family member or a close friend who is older, chronically ill or is disabled and needs support, but don’t recognise themselves as unpaid carers. Our Carers Week 2023 research found that 72% of people with experience of caring didn’t identify themselves when they were caring – that’s 19 million people – and many missed out on health and care, financial and other support.

Disparities between communities and groups can lead to inequity in health outcomes and in the support that people receive. To truly tackle these, we need more medical research, better data, inclusive awareness and health programmes, tailored support, and campaigning. Comprehensive health charities like Breast Cancer Now need to make sure all their work is coordinated if we are going to make a difference.

I am Ben Connah, the Secretary to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. I am responsible for the administration of the Inquiry and supporting the former Court of Appeal judge Baroness Hallett to fulfil her responsibilities as Chair of the Inquiry. I work for her and a key part of my role is making sure our work is independent of the government.

The idea of a social contract between the NHS and the public will only work if it is based on a new ongoing, two-way relationship. This must be supported by an acceptance that the knowledge needed to fix our country’s challenges lies in communities.