NursingNotes
  • login
  • signup
  • Latest News
  • Clinical Updates
  • Professional
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
NursingNotes
No Result
View All Result

Home > News > Workforce

Self-harm and suicides among healthcare workers rising, warns MP

A shadow health minister has called for urgent action to support staff during COVID-19 and beyond.


6 May 2020
Nurse upset with Coffee

Shutterstock

Coronavirus is likely to have devastating consequences on the health and social care workforce.

There has been a “clear” rise in the number of “suicides, self-harm and suicidal ideation among frontline NHS and care staff”, claims the shadow health minister.



Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, a practicing A&E doctor and shadow health minister, has called for urgent intervention from the government amid a rise in the number of health and social care staff experiencing serious mental health issues.

Experts have previously warned that COVID-19 is likely to have devastating consequences on the health and social care workforce.

Writing to the Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Dr Allin-Khan said; “As I speak to my colleagues across the country and in our unions, it is clear that there is a rise in suicides, self-harm and suicidal ideation among frontline NHS and care staff.

“It is vital that in order to tackle this, there is real-time data to understand where particular pinch points may be and where resources need to be directed.”


Dr Allin-Khan calls subsequently calls upon Mr Hancock to ensure measures are in place to track and monitor the issue and provide much-needed support for frontline staff.

Adding; “The need for talking therapies is now more important than ever. I understand that the NHS Practitioner Health scheme, which offers face-to-face support for doctors and dentists, is widely valued.

“Would the Government support extending this service to all frontline NHS and care staff during this crisis?”

“Our frontline NHS and care staff are doing fantastic work in extremely difficult circumstances. Unless our staff are safe, they cannot keep us all healthy.”


Dr Allin-Khan also calls for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) support, noting that PTSD could present “months and even years” after COVID-19.



Popular

Patient face mask in GP

GP practices can now deregister patients for ‘unrealistic service demands’

2 June 2022

student nurse staff nurse

Student nurses ‘used and abused’ on placements

13 June 2022

RCN

Nursing staff demand immediate review of ‘not fit for purpose’ Agenda for Change pay and conditions

8 June 2022

Insight

Busy A&E waiting room

‘The NHS is having its worst winter ever – and the reasons run much deeper than COVID’

28 January 2022

Hospital curtain intensive care

‘During the Downing Street Christmas Party we were caring for dying patients and forbidden from seeing family’

8 December 2021

Vaccine inPPE

‘Making vaccination compulsory for NHS frontline workers likely to make patients suffer’

19 November 2021


Related Posts

Close-up the positive young nurse who is dialing medicine into the syringe indoors
Clinical

Hospitals reintroduce compulsory mask wearing for staff and patients

29 June 2022
London, England, UK, January 22nd 2022, Long covid symptoms sign on pharmacy shop window UK
Clinical

Tribunal rules long-Covid is a disability

21 June 2022
Nurse putting PPE in bin
News

Nurses may not have died if the Government purchased ‘decent’ PPE

15 June 2022
NursingNotes

© 2019 NursingNotes.co.uk

Navigate Site

  • Who are we?
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Agenda for Change Pay Scales

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • Clinical
  • Education
  • Health Politics
  • Opinion
  • Resources

© 2019 NursingNotes.co.uk