Commenting on the statement from NHS Practitioner Health that all new registrations for secondary care staff are halted following discussions with NHS England -

Dr Rob Hendry, Medical Director at Medical Protection Society (MPS), said:

“While we recognise the need for a review into the provision of mental health support for NHS staff, the decision to halt new NHS Practitioner Health registrations for secondary care staff is extremely concerning, and the strength of feeling on this across the healthcare community is clear to see.

“In our role advising and supporting members with medicolegal matters, such as GMC investigations and disciplinaries, we regularly refer those who are particularly vulnerable or distressed to NHS Practitioner Health. We see first-hand how their commitment and insight can de-escalate mental health concerns, and help to keep these healthcare professionals in work, caring for patients.

“The recent decision to scale back funding for the NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs, resulting in the demise of most of the hubs, makes the timing of this news all the more worrying. We are writing to NHS England to urge them to re-consider, and at the very least ensure that secondary care staff can continue to benefit from NHS Practitioner Health while the review is ongoing.”

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MPS provides, as a benefit of membership, a 24/7 telephone counselling service for those struggling with work-related stress, or stress that they feel could impact their practice. It is independent - provided by our trusted partners ICAS – and confidential: Counselling service for members - confidential and 24/7 (medicalprotection.org)

About MPS

The Medical Protection Society Limited (“MPS”) is the world’s leading protection organisation for doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals. We protect and support the professional interests of more than 300,000 members around the world. Membership provides access to expert advice and support and can also provide, depending on the type of membership required, the right to request indemnity for any complaints or claims arising from professional practice.

Our in-house experts assist with the wide range of legal and ethical problems that arise from professional practice. This can include clinical negligence claims, complaints, medical and dental council inquiries, legal and ethical dilemmas, disciplinary procedures, inquests and fatal accident inquiries.

Our philosophy is to support safe practice in medicine and dentistry by helping to avert problems in the first place. We do this by promoting risk management through our workshops, E-learning, clinical risk assessments, publications, conferences, lectures and presentations.

MPS is not an insurance company. All the benefits of membership of MPS are discretionary as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.