Help us to make sure we continue to #FundNHSHubs
Earlier this year, I introduced a campaign that we’ve been leading, calling on the government to continue funding NHS staff mental health and wellbeing hubs.
26 May 2023
By Sarb Bajwa
The hubs are a vital source of support for NHS staff who have been under unprecedented pressure in the last couple of years, with concerns over workforce numbers coming on the back of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Analysis of 11 hubs showed a 72 per cent year-on-year increase in referrals from NHS staff seeking help for their own mental health, worrying enough for us to describe the failure to commit to funding the hubs as 'clinically dangerous'.
As the campaign continues, we are starting to see more support come in, and I was delighted that Stephen Fry produced a video for us recently in which he expressed his concern that hubs closing could have a 'possibly disastrous effect' on the health service.
The campaign has also been featured prominently in the media, with our incoming President-Elect Dr Roman Raczka appearing alongside care home manager Jane Borland, who has received support from one of the hubs, on the Today Programme recently.
While we continue to raise the profile of the situation facing the hubs, we know that the most important people in giving them a future are those in Westminster who ultimately make funding decisions like this.
That's why we're asking you to write to your MP and raise your concerns for the health and social staff working in your area if they lose these vital mental health and wellbeing lifelines. You can find out more on how to do this, and use our simple template, on our website.
Away from the hubs campaign, we are continuing the countdown to the European Congress of Psychology 2023 in Brighton, which is now little more than one month away.
We are delighted by the number of fantastic submissions that we've received for the congress, with a full programme set to be released imminently, and that so many psychologists from around the UK, Europe and beyond have bought their tickets to join us.
It's been two decades since the UK last hosted this event, so this really is an opportunity that only comes around once in a generation, so we want to make sure that as many BPS members as possible can experience it.
While the early rate deadline for three-day tickets has now passed, you can still save on a one-day pass which is exclusively available to our members.
With six of our member networks hosting dedicated events during the congress, this is the perfect opportunity for you to come along and enjoy an event covering your area of research or practice alongside our keynote speakers, symposia, panel discussions and countless other sessions.
More information on the member network events is available on the ECP 2023 website, and you can book your one-day ticket by logging in using your portal details.