Investment in NHS staff mental health services urgently needed, says BPS

The British Psychological Society is calling for greater investment into mental health services for NHS staff after new NHS sickness stats revealed over a quarter of all days lost to illness by those working in the NHS last year were due to stress-related illnesses.

The data, released by NHS England, found that midwives (30.6 per cent), ambulance staff (26.2 per cent), and Hospital and Community Health Service doctors (20 per cent) were amongst the most likely to report a stress-related illness last year. 

Responding to the release of the latest figures from NHS England Digital, Dr Roman Raczka, President-Elect of The British Psychological Society, said:

"The latest data released by NHS England paints a stark picture of the mental health challenges facing the NHS workforce with more and more staff needing time off work due to stress-related illnesses.

"NHS staff are facing unprecedented workload pressures and strain, so psychological support for staff is needed now more than ever. But with ringfenced Government funding for NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs having ended in March last year, getting access to dedicated local psychological help has now become a postcode lottery.

"Long-term funding for staff mental health and wellbeing services from Government is fundamental to keep staff in the sector and to deliver the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. We must look after those who dedicate their lives to caring for us."

Find out more: Learning from the NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs.