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# Gap revealed between Suffolk patient and adult social carer satisfaction
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/gap-revealed-between-suffolk-patient-and-adult-social-carer-satisfaction/
- Published: 2025-01-08T13:22:13.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:26:04.000Z
- Description: While 69.5% of Suffolk adult care recipients say they're satisfied with services, only 41.9% of carers share the same view, new data shows.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Health & Care Services, #article, #Import 2026-03-16 14:45

**Why it matters:** The gap between carer and patient satisfaction could indicate underlying challenges with our country's social care system.

**By the numbers:** 455 care recipients and 320 carers responded to the survey:

- 69.5% of care recipients reported they were satisfied with the care they received, rating their quality of life at 19.2 out of 24.
- Meanwhile, less than half (41.9%) of carers said they were satisfied with the system – higher than the East of England (35.4%) and England (36.7%) but still significantly lower than satisfaction levels amongst patients.

![An elderly lady being assisted by an adult social care worker](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1736342338-elderly-lady-being-supported-by-adult-social-care-worker-1.jpg)

While 69.5% of Suffolk adult care recipients say they're satisfied with services, only 41.9% of carers share the same view Photo: Daisy-Daisy (Getty Images)

**What they're saying:** Melanie Williams, president of ADASS (Association of Directors of Adult Social Services), warns that recent changes could put further pressure on carers:

"Changes made in the recent Budget to employers' National Insurance contribution and National Living Wage increases could further harm the social care sector, creating a shortfall of around £1.3bn."

She added: "Fewer people will be able to draw on care and support to help them stay independent and well, including a reduction in support for family carers."

She welcomed the Government's plan for a National Care Service, but warned it needs to be "fully funded", and "co-produced with people with lived experience of care and support".

**The other side:** The Department of Health and Social Care says it is taking action, with a spokesperson stating they are "taking the first steps towards building a National Care Service" and increasing the Carer's Allowance earnings threshold "by over £2,300 - the biggest rise since the 1970s."

They also said they were committed to "giving local authorities an additional £3.5 billion in 2025-26, including a £680 million increase in the social care grant to support the sector."

The statement comes as it was announced that [Ipswich will receive more than £200,000](https://www.ipswich.co.uk/tag/ipswich-will-receive-more-than-200-000/) of a wider £86 million national funding boost to the Disabled Facilities Grant to help disabled and elderly residents make improvements to their homes.

**The bottom line:** While most Suffolk residents receiving adult social care are satisfied with services, the much lower satisfaction rate among carers suggests more support is needed for those providing it.

### Sources

- [Measures from the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework, England, 2023-24](https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/adult-social-care-outcomes-framework-ascof/england-2023-24?ref=ipswich.co.uk#summary)

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