The Government is urging primary care staff in England to seek ‘timely’ support with their wellbeing this winter should they find themselves struggling.
It has made available a number of resources, some free, to help them stay well and that address physical, mental, as well as financial wellbeing, NHS England said in a recent primary care bulletin.
Wellbeing apps to support mental health, such as Headspace and Unmind can be found on the NHS England website.
Meanwhile, the commissioner has also introduced a confidential 24/7 text support service for anybody who feels they need to talk to someone. This can be be accessed by texting SHOUT to 85258 and is ‘available to all NHS colleagues who may have had a tough day, are feeling worried or overwhelmed, or have a lot on their mind and need to talk it through,’ NHS England said.
It is also reminding staff that help with financial wellbeing concerns over the winter months can be sought from the MoneyHelper Service, a free and impartial money advice telephone, WhatsApp, and text support line.
NHS England said: ‘The wellbeing of NHS staff, including colleagues working in primary care, and supporting them to stay well this winter by ensuring they have access to a number of resources for their physical, mental and financial health and wellbeing, remains a key priority’.
‘Colleagues are encouraged to seek timely support, should they need it, which also includes talking to a line manager or Freedom to Speak Up Guardian’, it added.
A fuller list of the resources available for staff is here.
Meanwhile, further resources for mental health are listed here, which includes information on Practitioner Health, a free and confidential self-referral mental health treatment and addiction service for GPs and primary care staff.
A version of this story was first published on our sister title Management in Practice.
