Insulting mental health support funding

“We were pleased to see the government’s new NHS workforce plan outline a much-needed focus on support for staff wellbeing, but actions speak louder than words.

“We are bitterly disappointed for the existing and future NHS and social care workforce that the government has once again failed to meaningfully invest in the NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs, despite unabated demand.

“The NHS potentially spends billions on agency and temporary staff to plug gaps in the workforce due to staff sickness absence and the well-documented recruitment crisis. Despite this, it has made the baffling decision to not invest in an existing network of well-evaluated staff wellbeing services already delivering the preventative and reactive provision outlined in its own workforce plan.

“Frankly this offer is an insult to the three million members of the health and social care workforce, who have been voting with their feet for years, and will continue to do so if they do not get the support they desperately need now, and in the future.

“It beggars belief that as we celebrate 75 years of the NHS, we have to remind the government how important it is that they provide staff with the care and support they need. It’s not too late for the government to take action.

“Removing funding for the NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs has always been a false economy. We urge them to take this opportunity, and do the right thing by NHS and social care staff, by providing full funding for the hubs for at least the rest of the year.”

“This shocking funding decision is simply the latest instalment in the government’s catastrophic handling of the future of the NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs.

“The government is behaving as if the publication of the workforce plan will spell the end of the current challenges staff are experiencing, but it clearly isn’t an instant solution. With mental health reasons continuing to account for nearly a quarter of staff sickness absence, it’s vital the hubs continue to be fully funded to help people who need support now.”

“This funding is a tokenistic and insulting drop in the ocean. The financial gesture won’t even touch the sides in terms of helping hubs cope with the ever increasing demand and complexity of issues we currently face on a daily basis.

“Day in, day out, we work with colleagues across the NHS who are struggling with a wide range of mental health issues, from anxiety and depression to burnout and dealing with the impacts of moral injury. Staff are exhausted, overwhelmed by their workload and struggling to give their patients the care they know they deserve.

“I urge ministers to speak directly to hub leads to find out exactly what the issues are on the ground and how the hubs are helping staff who are working at their limits, while supporting staff retention.”