Warning over loss of mental health hubs to support nursing staff

Doubts over future funding for NHS rapid access well-being hubs spark concern about ‘catastrophic’ effect on workforce

The loss of mental health hubs to support nursing staff would be catastrophic for the workforce and the future of the health service, mental health leaders have warned.

The government has confirmed £2.3 million in funding for the rest of this financial year ensure the provision of NHS mental health and well-being hubs, set up during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide rapid access to free mental health services.

• RELATED: Big rise in nurses trying to take their own lives due to burnout

But funding beyond the end of the financial year has not been confirmed, sparking concerns from unions and mental health support organisations.

The British Psychological Society (BPS), the RCN and others have written to health and social care secretary Steve Barclay and NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard calling for the ‘inadequate’ funding to be reconsidered.

Investment in such services would retain and attract staff and reduce sick leave

Claire Goodwin-Fee, chief executive of psychological support service Frontline19, said the lack of certainty for the hub’s future was a kick in the teeth for NHS staff.

‘It’s very shortsighted to cut the funding, I don’t know what the agenda is in the long run because it doesn’t seem to be to support the staff to be as healthy as they can,’ she told Nursing Standard.

• RELATED: Nurse sickness: more than half a million days lost in one month

‘It is about supporting people… there are huge vacancies across the NHS and I think the attitude from the government is that people are disposable.

‘If they put in a small amount of investment in NHS services to support staff they would retain more staff, they would attract more staff and they would also have less sick leave. What’s not to like?’

Ms Goodwin-Fee said Frontline19 is currently working with around 9,000 NHS staff in an average week.

Charity stresses need for accessible, de-stigmatised care for the workforce

Elsewhere, the Laura Hyde Foundation said it was dealing with a record number of people contacting its support service.

Data from the charity show 312 nurses died by suicide between 2013 and 2019. While 226 nurses attempted suicide in 2020 the figure jumped to 366 in 2022.

Trustee Liam Barnes said: ‘It’s catastrophic. The new pandemic that the NHS is facing is the mental health crisis of their staff. The NHS is at threat because the staff that really underpin its soul and its purpose are struggling, and something will break.

• RELATED: NHS staff suicides: grieving colleagues need rapid support

‘It’s very disappointing to see the government not prioritising staff well-being. Well-being hubs have provided a first step in terms of accessibility, however we would like to see further support building on the concept of a well-being hub and providing proper, accessible, de-stigmatised care for the workforce.’

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the well-being of NHS staff was vitally important. They said: ‘We are doing more to create a sustainable NHS through the long term workforce plan and deliver the biggest training expansion in NHS history.’

In other news

• Community nursing: new standards aim to improve training
• Noodle the dog helps autistic teen through fear of surgery
• Social care: funding boost will flounder without workforce plan