Health Secretary Matt Hancock has pledged to overhaul mental health and wellbeing support for NHS staff.
The Health Secretary has promised to provide post-incident support for frontline staff round the clock confidential mental health services, and priority access to mental health referrals
‘Nursing staff are working in ever more pressurised environments and we know that their physical and mental health can sometimes suffer as a result, leaving them with little in the tank to care for themselves,’ said Donna Kinnair, Acting RCN Chief Executive.
‘The government is right to recognise this as an issue and to commit to providing support for those in difficulty.’
Additionally, staff will be provided with improved rest spaces for on-call staff, and ‘NHS Workforce Wellbeing Guardian’ to champion mental wellbeing in every NHS organisation.
The five initiatives are recommendations from a new Health Education England report into the mental health of NHS staff and trainees.
‘When it comes down to the wellbeing of both patients and staff alike there is no substitute for having the right number of nurses in the right place at the right time – that's why we're calling on the government to increase the supply of nurses by putting at least £1 billion into nursing higher education,’ added Dame Donna.
‘Safe staffing is about effectively meeting the clinical needs of patients, but for staff, it also means being able to take proper rests, eat and stay hydrated.’