Sir Simon Stevens has announced that the NHS will be increasing mental health support for their staff by setting 40 nationwide hubs where NHS staff affected by the pandemic can receive support for their mental health.
NHS staff will have direct access to mental health support via a phoneline, there will also be online support for staff, and the care will be provided by qualified mental health clinicians, therapists, recovery workers and psychologists.
Staff deemed to be at substantial risk will be urged to reach out to the hubs, which have been planned based on the Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust hubs set up after the 2017 Manchester Arena attack.
Stevens has called for support for the NHS to continue and a £15m investment to directly help staff was welcomed last October, but Stevens has called for staff to have greater powers to “problem solve” and “preserve the can-do attitude of the NHS”.
Prerana Issar, Chief People Officer for the NHS added: “We are committed to supporting all our NHS people’s health and well-being as we move through what has been an unprecedented year and that is why we have invested £15 million into dedicated mental health support for our staff.
“Through these 40 mental health and wellbeing hubs our staff will be able to get access to specialist psychological support, alongside a package of support for all our senior leaders so every person working in the NHS knows where to turn if they need support.”
“To all my NHS colleagues, it’s imperative that you reach out for support if you need it including using the range of resources available on our nhs.people.uk site.”
