NHS England has backtracked on plans to withdraw funding for secondary care staff to access mental health services provided by NHS Practitioner Health, following a backlash from health bodies and unions.
Over the weekend, NHS Practitioner Health, a free mental health and addiction service for health and care professionals, said that it would no longer be able to accept secondary care staff – such as specialist doctors and dentists – for treatment because NHS England had decided not to renew funding for the service.
The news was received poorly by health bodies and unions, with some suggesting health workers struggling with their mental health were suddenly left “high and dry”.
However, late yesterday (15 April), NHS England said it would continue to fund the service for secondary care staff for another year.
Dr Navina Evans, NHS England’s chief workforce officer said: “Following discussions with Practitioner Health on their current service for secondary care doctors, dentists and senior staff, we have jointly agreed to extend the service by 12 months, for both existing and new service users, while we carry out a wider review to ensure that all NHS staff groups have the mental health support they need.”
In a statement published over the weekend, NHS Practitioner Health said the NHS was reviewing the mental health support it offered staff across all groups to consider “long-term sustainable options”.
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Funding for primary care staff – such as GPs or practice nurses – to access mental health support through NHS Practitioner Health has been extended for 12 months to 31 March 2025.
Investment in NHS mental health hubs for staff, social workers and social care staff has recently been cut, with many having closed.
Dr Roman Raczka, president-elect of The British Psychological Society, said: “We are pleased that NHS England has reversed its decision to cut funding from NHS Practitioner Health for secondary care staff. This decision will mean that doctors and dentists will be able to access vital mental health support when they need it and will not be left high and dry.
“While this decision is welcome, it doesn’t detract from the fact that the overall picture of mental health support for NHS and social care staff is patchy at best. We know that the removal of national ringfenced funding for the NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs has already created a postcode lottery for staff needing to access mental health support.
“Therefore, we welcome a review of mental health and wellbeing services that seeks to create equal access to high quality, timely psychological support for the whole of the health and care workforce, alongside NHS Practitioner Health. However, the uncertainty created by repeated short term funding decisions leaves existing services operating on the brink of potential closure, which is damaging for both service employees and users. Evidence is clear that long term investment at scale in staff mental health support is needed, and it’s vital that the government restores ringfenced funding.”
The BMA had asked the NHS to postpone its decision while the review was being carried out.
Dr Latifa Patel, workforce lead at the British Medical Association, said: “Doctors are more burnt-out and under pressure than ever before and now is not the time to cut mental health support. With the recent cutting of NHS staff and wellbeing hubs, doctors already have fewer and fewer places to turn to.”
Following the news of a U-turn, the BMA said on X: It is right that NHS England has acted on our call and reversed their decision to stop NHS staff from accessing vital mental health support. We now need assurance that the review will lead to equal or better provision of mental health support in the future.”
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Dr Rob Hendry, medical director at the Medical Protection Society, said: “In our role advising and supporting members with medicolegal matters, such as GMC investigations and disciplinaries, we regularly refer those who are particularly vulnerable or distressed to NHS Practitioner Health. We see first-hand how their commitment and insight can de-escalate mental health concerns, and help to keep these healthcare professionals in work, caring for patients.”
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