One in six MS carers working 90 hour weeks

As many as one in six carers for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are working for more than 90 hours a week, a survey by the MS Society has found.

Out of 549 respondents to the survey, all of whom were family and friends who support a loved one who had MS, one in three said they had to give up paid work to care for them. Forty one per cent of people were providing more than 35 hours of unpaid care each week, and 16% were giving more than 90 hours.

A huge 90% of people said their health and wellbeing had been negatively impacted because of their caring role, and only one in six people of working age had been given enough support to stay employed.