A report titled 2025 Modern Families Index (MFI): NHS & Healthcare Sector report, reveals critical gaps in support systems for carers. 

The findings highlight the significant impact of care breakdowns on productivity and employee wellbeing, with three-quarters of adult carers taking time off work due to disruptions in their care arrangements.

Key Findings:

• 74% of adult carers in the NHS & Healthcare sector had a breakdown in care arrangements that clashed with work.
• 64% of NHS & Healthcare parents faced childcare breakdowns that meant missing work.
• 35% of NHS & Healthcare parents are planning to seek new employment within the next year, rising to 43% among those with adult dependants.
• 75% of NHS & Healthcare parents and 82% of adult carers carefully consider their care options before accepting promotions or new jobs.
• Just 57% of parents in the sector report feeling confident their employer will take account of their family and treat them fairly. This is 16% lower than the overall MFI population.

Jennifer Liston-Smith, Head of Thought Leadership at Bright Horizons, says: “There is a tension between national targets and what working families among NHS and Healthcare staff are telling us about their need for support. For example, with high levels of childcare and adult/eldercare breakdown affecting staff availability, it will be hard to deliver on reducing agency spend. 

“Practical solutions such as back-up care and onsite nursery provision already play a key role in some NHS Trust organisations. This report shines a light on areas where greater support would further shore up national priorities.”

The findings follow new figures that revealed public satisfaction with the NHS has hit a new low. Data from the long-running British Social Attitudes survey shows that just 21% of people were satisfied with the NHS in 2024, with waiting times and staff shortages being the biggest concerns.

When asked what support NHS and healthcare sector employees need most to help them be present at work, after flexibility it was help with childcare costs (36%). This is followed by help with commuting costs (26%), childcare cover such as back-up care (24%), and onsite childcare (19%).

*From Bright Horizons

2025 Modern Families Index (MFI): NHS & Healthcare Sector report