The College of Paramedics supports the British Psychological Society’s
#FundNHSHubs campaign -
Protect the future of NHS staff mental health and wellbeing hubs | BPS – which is calling on the government to provide the necessary funding for NHS staff mental health and wellbeing hubs, which are being forced to close despite NHS staff sickness and absence figures showing a worsening mental health crisis in the NHS workforce.
Government funding for 40 NHS staff mental health and wellbeing hubs, which were launched in February 2021 to give struggling NHS and social care staff rapid access to mental health support from dedicated local mental health services, ended on March 31, 2023.
This has left the workforce without vital support, with four hubs already forced to close and the remaining facing an uncertain future, raising serious concerns for staff wellbeing and patient safety.
Jo Mildenhall, Paramedic Psychological Health and Wellbeing Manager for the College of Paramedics said: “Paramedics worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and beyond and, at times, this has been to the detriment of their own mental health, noted by the increasing levels of burnout, distress, and mental ill-health being experienced. The NHS wellbeing hubs provide a vital source of psychological support and it is absolutely crucial that they continue to be funded so that paramedics can get the help and care when they need It most.”