Social workers and benefit officials have been accused of overlooking the UK's secret service – carers. In a recent poll of more than 2,000 carers across the country, almost two thirds (63%) said their lives are made ‘much more difficult' as a result of being overlooked or ignored. More than half (54%) said being overlooked had affected their health and 55% said it had left them worse off financially. As Carers Week (8-14 June) gets underway to highlight the plight of these individuals, the groups labelled most likely to overlook them is professionals such as GPs, social workers and benefit officials. Around 87% of those surveyed said they felt unrecognised by these professionals. And almost three quarters of carers (74%) have reached breaking point with 41% citing ‘frustration with bureaucracy' as the reason. Carers Week manager Paul Matz said: ‘All too often carers slip under the radar and they struggle on alone. It is vital that health and social service professionals on the ground recognise the needs of people who are caring for others and ensure they are receiving the support they are entitled to and deserve.'