Release time: 2022-04-04 12:46

NHS staff wellbeing an ‘urgent priority’ says BPS, as data reveals number of full time days lost to anxiety and stress in NHS staff increases 32 per cent in the last two years

New figures show a 32 per cent increase in the number of full time days lost to anxiety, stress, depression and psychiatric illness in NHS staff in the last two years.

The BPS is urging the government to prioritise NHS staff wellbeing as analysis of NHS Digital data by the BPS has found that anxiety, stress, depression and other psychiatric illness* accounted for 561,818 full time equivalent days lost in November 2021, compared to 425,429 in November 2019.

Anxiety, stress, depression and other psychiatric illness is consistently the most reported reason for sickness absence, accounting for 25.7 per cent of all sickness absence in NHS staff in November 2021

The BPS is concerned that NHS staff wellbeing is being left behind in the desire to ‘move on’ from the pandemic, despite the number of Covid hospital admissions rising, and clear psychological evidence that shows staff are only likely to begin processing the trauma of the last two years now, meaning support is more vital than ever.

Unlike Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, England does not currently have direct ministerial involvement in NHS staff wellbeing, with variability and inconsistency in the level and type of support offered across the NHS. While some Trusts offer excellent support, a lack of basic support including proper rest-rooms, access to hot meals and drinks, and cancelling of some annual leave requests is deeply concerning.

Dr Roman Raczka, chair of the BPS’ Division of Clinical Psychology, said:

“These figures make it crystal clear the level of stress that our NHS staff are under, and the significant personal health cost to staff from not just the last two years, but years of staffing shortages and chronic underfunding.

“It is vital that the government prioritises proper staff support and wellbeing, and uses examples of good practice that are happening in some trusts, to not only prevent absences, but also to retain staff and increase morale the NHS looks to rise to the huge challenges that lie ahead as it tackles the growing backlog.

“Only as staff begin to process what they have been through in the last two years, will we see the true level of those needing help and support. We urge the government not to allow its optimism this spring to lead to complacency and lack of action to properly support staff across all areas of the NHS.”

*The figures quoted in this press release relate to the category defined by NHS Digital as ‘anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illness’. It is worth noting that although it is included in this category, stress is not generally considered a psychiatric illness.