The NHS achieves extraordinary things for patients, but this is only possible if the safety, health and wellbeing of our people is recognised as a key priority. If we don’t look after ourselves and our colleagues, we cannot deliver safe, high quality patient care.
The pandemic has had a significant physical, mental and psychological impact on our people – and this will continue for some time to come. Many people are tired and in need of rest and respite, and it has never been more important for all our NHS people to take time to look after their own health and wellbeing We must all encourage each other to seek help – and seek it at the point at which it is needed. Leaders, teams and employers are encouraged to offer their colleagues support to stay well at work, and to keep offering it consistently – across teams, organisations and sectors, in order to sustain the ability to care for patients, long term.
The national health and wellbeing programme was set up prior to the pandemic in 2019 to specifically support the wellbeing of our NHS people. The programme is split into a number of key areas and you can read more about each programme and access nationally published guidance.