As nearly half (47%) of NHS staff report their work negatively impacting their mental health, £2.4 million of funding has been dedicated to supporting staff wellbeing.
The NHS Charities Together research also found 41% of NHS staff feel that their physical health is impacted by their job. The charity said this year was set to be ‘one of the busiest winter periods on record’, increasing pressure on NHS staff.
The additional funding will form part of an £11 million programme to provide ‘crucial mental and physical wellbeing support’ for NHS staff. A total of 29 projects will aim to ‘transform the way NHS workers are supported’. These will include initiatives such as neurodiversity tools and improved trauma support.
Many of the projects have been designed in response to problems highlighted by NHS workers. For example, some reported a crisis management approach to staff wellbeing and suggested that a more proactive approach featuring ‘holistic wellbeing support, early mental health intervention and reduced stigma around seeking help’ would be more effective.
‘We need a healthy workforce if we want a thriving NHS’
Ellie Orton, CEO of NHS Charities Together, said: ‘Many NHS staff feel that theirs is the best job in the world, but these roles come with a tremendous responsibility for the lives they care for, and at a time of incredible pressure on health services, this takes a toll on their mental and physical wellbeing.
‘In the face of so many healthcare challenges it’s easy to forget about healthcare staff, but it goes without saying that we need a healthy workforce if we want a thriving NHS that can give patients the care they need.
‘This funding means NHS charities can help ensure NHS staff prioritise their own health and wellness with the same care they give to patients. We’ve spent a lot of time talking to frontline staff and analysing evidence from previous projects to arrive at solutions that will give healthcare staff the right tools to look after their own wellbeing.’
This initiative comes as part of the government’s 10-Year Health Plan. Ellie Orton continued: ‘The new 10-Year Health Plan for England is an opportunity to reimagine care and it is vital that the workforce, who are at the heart of delivering this, are fully supported in their roles.
‘The NHS can’t tackle these challenges alone, so NHS charities also have a role to play in reaching and improving wellbeing for all staff. Our aim is to share insights of what works and help scale these interventions to transform how NHS staff are supported in future.’
Follow Dentistry.co.uk on Instagram to keep up with all the latest dental news and trends.
