Petition · Department of Health and Social Care
Fund free prescriptions and eye tests for carers
Closed
49 signatures
What the petition asks
To support all carers to look after their health, I want the government to fund free prescriptions and yearly eye tests.
Unpaid carers in England and Wales contribute an estimated £162 billion per year to the economy. Most carers are unpaid.
Unpaid carers are more than twice as likely to have poor health than people without caring responsibilities. 60% of carers have a long-term health condition or disability, compared to 50% of non-carers.
84% of carers surveyed for the 2013 State of Caring Survey said that caring has had a negative impact on their health, up from 74 percent in 2011-12.
Unpaid carers are more than twice as likely to have poor health than people without caring responsibilities. 60% of carers have a long-term health condition or disability, compared to 50% of non-carers.
84% of carers surveyed for the 2013 State of Caring Survey said that caring has had a negative impact on their health, up from 74 percent in 2011-12.
Timeline
| 13 Feb 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 13 Aug 2025 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
49
Status
Closed
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
Opened
13 Feb 2025
Closed
13 Aug 2025
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 19 Aug 2026.