Half of doctors say mental health is worse now than during the pandemic

Nearly half of healthcare professionals in the UK (46%) say their mental health is worse now than it was during the pandemic, and three quarters (75%) feel the Government is not doing enough to help healthcare professionals with mental health issues.

In the Medical Protection survey of nearly 900 healthcare professionals, 43% say not being able to do the right thing for patients, or ‘moral injury’, is impacting their current mental health. Others point to the impact of exhaustion on patient safety (47%) and the inability to take breaks to eat and drink (35%).

Over three quarters (76%) also say staff shortages make it difficult for them to take time off to deal with mental health issues, and 43% are considering their future in healthcare due to mental health concerns.

The Medical Protection survey follows NHS England’s recent commitment of £2.3million funding to be shared between seven regions to maintain the 40 NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs. Data obtained through an FOI request by the British Psychological Society however shows the total running cost of the 40 hubs to be around £40million.  

The £2.3million funding is also short term, so after March 2024 regional teams will need to work with Integrated Care Boards to agree the best approach to providing mental health support for their workforce, and find funding for it.

Medical Protection - the world’s leading protection organisation supporting over 300,000 healthcare professionals – fears the limited funding allocation could threaten the sustainability of the 40 hubs at a time when they may be needed most.

Professor Dame Jane Dacre, Medical Protection President, said: “Earlier this month in the NHS Workforce Plan, the Government set out its commitment to retaining the skilled, passionate healthcare professionals who have a long career ahead of them but are on the verge of quitting - many due to mental wellbeing issues which is not only worrying for them but can also jeopardise patient care.

“During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic 40 NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs were established around the UK amid concerns about the mental health of healthcare professionals.  The hubs provide desperately needed support to staff struggling with a range of mental health concerns, from anxiety and depression through to moral injury.

“Demand for support with mental health issues is still high. Nearly half of our members tell us their mental health is worse now than it was during the pandemic, and a similar amount are considering their future in healthcare due to mental health concerns. We are also seeing more staff absent from work due to mental ill health than ever before.

“It therefore seems absolutely the wrong time to scale back mental health provision for healthcare staff and risk the sustainability of an established network of hubs that are crucial in supporting mental wellbeing and retention.

“We urge the Government to consider providing sustainable funding to strengthen the hubs. While retention is complex and multi-faceted, investment in mental health support for staff is a fundamental pillar.” 

Sarb Bajwa, CEO at the British Psychological Society, which has been leading the #FundNHSHubs campaign to secure the future of the wellbeing hubs, added:

“These shocking - but sadly not surprising - findings once again highlight the urgent need for the ongoing, dedicated mental health support provided by the hubs. It’s clear the health and social care workforce is running on empty, and they deserve better than a drastically reduced service that’s unable to meet demand due to short-sighted funding arrangements.”  

“Staff wellbeing and patient safety go hand in hand, and it’s vital the government invests in supporting its existing workforce through successful hub services that have been a lifeline for thousands of health professionals.” 

Doctors who participated in Medical Protection survey commented anonymously:

“Pressures across NHS secondary, primary and social care, and the haemorrhaging of experienced staff at every level make the job increasingly impossible and fear of serious incidents, things going wrong, a sense of lurching from crisis to crisis with little or no respite, is taking its toll. I am considering early retirement - far earlier than planned. I do think this will be a sad loss both for myself and the NHS services as I have considerable experience and expertise. But I have my health, wellbeing and family to consider also.”

“I love my job but I am frustrated and sad that I am unable to practice safely and to a high standard due to overwhelming patient demand. Currently working longer hours to make up for this but this is not sustainable in the long run. Having difficulty sleeping and my own health is deteriorating.”

“My mental wellbeing has deteriorated over the three years since 2020. Conversely there was more support when there was less need (in 2020).”

“There is no time to prioritise personal wellbeing. We are expected to take on more and more due to staff shortages and I am personally quite burnt out with all the cross-cover of absent colleagues. Most of the time I am firefighting clinical crises with little time to look at the bigger picture/think about service improvement. Many of my colleagues are in a similar position and thinking about early retirement.”

“My mental health is suffering, I need time off but I'm not allowed to take it as there are not enough staff. If I get to breaking point I will have to go off sick which I don't want to do as it impacts on my colleagues and patients.”

END

Notes to editors

For further information contact [email protected].

• The letter outlining the £2.3m funding (2023-2024) was sent on 3 July by Dr Navina Evans CBE Chief Workforce, Training and Education Officer NHS England.
• Data on NHS sickness absences: NHS in England grappling with difficult new normal as staff sickness soars post-pandemic | Nuffield Trust
• Views from some of the wellbeing hubs on the service provided and demand: Hear from the hubs | BPS
• The Medical Protection survey was completed by 861 doctors in the UK. The survey was in the field during April 2023.

Key findings

• 46% said their mental wellbeing is worse now than it was during the pandemic
• 75% of doctors believe the Government is not doing enough to help healthcare workers with mental wellbeing issues
• 43% said they are considering their future in healthcare due to mental wellbeing concerns
• 43% said not being able to do the right thing for patients is impacting their current mental wellbeing
• 47% said the impact of exhaustion or burnout on patient safety is impacting their current mental wellbeing
• 40% said working increasingly long hours is impacting their current mental wellbeing
• 35% said the inability to take breaks during the day to eat and drink is impacting their current mental wellbeing
• 76% said staff shortages make it difficult to take time off to deal with mental wellbeing issues.

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.

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