BPS responds to announcement on further measures to address NHS winter crisis
Mental health of NHS staff must not be sidelined, says the BPS.
09 January 2023
The British Psychological Society has responded to today's statement to parliament by Steve Barclay MP, Health and Social Care Secretary, in which he outlined a series of further measures to address current pressures facing the NHS over winter.
Sarb Bajwa, chief executive of the BPS, said:
"It is concerning that specific measures to address the ongoing crisis in mental health services, and the mental health and wellbeing support for NHS staff, were missing from today's announcement by the Health and Social Care Secretary.
"There is no magic solution to the issues faced by the health service, and it is highly unlikely that meaningful change will happen quickly enough to alleviate the unmanageable pressure on NHS staff working desperately hard to prop up under-resourced services. For too many health and care professionals, it is at the detriment of their own health and wellbeing.
"The mental health of NHS staff must not be forgotten or sidelined at this critical time. It is vital that the government commits to provide continued ring-fenced funding for NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs, which have been a lifeline for so many."