Support for GPs
physical health
Heales Medical
Occupational Health Service
The Heales Medical Group is contracted by NHS England to provide a comprehensive occupational health service to GPs working in the south of England who are on the performers list.
This includes:
Your GP practice will need to register online to make referrals.
This includes:
- occupational health advice for GPs
- occupational health support in response to any sickness absences, or with regards to health issues or potential health issues that may impact upon a GP’s role and ability to carry out their duties safely and effectively
- health surveillance services (for example night-worker assessments, vaccination boosters)
- support for GPs retiring as a result of ill-health
- needlestick Injury advice
Your GP practice will need to register online to make referrals.
Occupational Health brochure (Heales Medical, 2017)
Needlestick injury poster (Heales Medical, 2017)
Needlestick injury poster (Heales Medical, 2017)
Mental health and emotional support
If you’re experiencing a personal crisis, are unable to cope and need support, text NHSPH to 85258.
Staying Safe from suicidal thoughts - a website of resources to help.
The Samaritans Call 116 123 for free. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Staying Safe from suicidal thoughts - a website of resources to help.
The Samaritans Call 116 123 for free. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Practitioner Health Service
The NHS Practitioner Health Service will help GPs with:
The NHS Practitioner Health Service is available to any general practitioner or GP Trainee who is registered on the National Performers List in England and to any GP or GP trainee who is looking to return to clinical practice after a period of absence.
Access the service by self-referral only.
The service is available 8am – 8pm Monday – Friday and 8am – 2pm Saturday.
- Common and more complex mental health conditions
- Mental health conditions relating to a physical health issue
- Substance misuse including support for community detoxification
- Rehabilitation and support to return to work after a period of mental ill-health.
The NHS Practitioner Health Service is available to any general practitioner or GP Trainee who is registered on the National Performers List in England and to any GP or GP trainee who is looking to return to clinical practice after a period of absence.
Access the service by self-referral only.
- Complete the online self referral form. You will then be contacted to arrange a time for a short introductory call.
- by emailing prac.health@nhs.net or
- by calling 0300 0303 300
The service is available 8am – 8pm Monday – Friday and 8am – 2pm Saturday.
BMA Wellbeing Support Services
The BMA offers two services which are available to ALL DOCTORS AND MEDICAL STUDENTS whether or not they are BMA members.
BMA counselling
which is staffed by professional telephone counsellors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
They are all members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and are bound by strict codes of confidentiality and ethical practice.
Peer support
The BMA peer support service offers doctors and medical students in distress or difficulty the choice of speaking in confidence to another doctor.
It's confidential peer support with an emotional focus.
BMA counselling
which is staffed by professional telephone counsellors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
They are all members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and are bound by strict codes of confidentiality and ethical practice.
Peer support
The BMA peer support service offers doctors and medical students in distress or difficulty the choice of speaking in confidence to another doctor.
It's confidential peer support with an emotional focus.
|
Call 0330 123 1245 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to access either service.
|
GMC Doctor Support Service
A dedicated, confidential, emotional support service to any doctor who has been referred to the GMC.
It is an independent free service established to offer telephone support as well as face to face support for up to two days at a hearing if the doctor wishes it.
It is an independent free service established to offer telephone support as well as face to face support for up to two days at a hearing if the doctor wishes it.
|
Call 020 7383 6707
0900 -1700 Monday to Friday |
Other support services
Doctors Support Network provides peer support for doctors and medical students with mental health concerns.
DSN believes that contact with and support from other medics can help recovery.
All DSN members have either themselves been troubled at some stage in their lives or support the aims of the organisation.
DSN believes that contact with and support from other medics can help recovery.
All DSN members have either themselves been troubled at some stage in their lives or support the aims of the organisation.
DocHealth is a confidential, not for profit, psychotherapeutic consultation service for all doctors. "Although located in London the service is open to all doctors in the UK. For doctors outside London we offer, after an initial face-to-face session, ongoing video consultations.
We help doctors to explore their difficulties, both professional and personal, through Consultant Medical Psychotherapists who have the collective experience of treating over 2000 doctors in the last 20 years.
We aim to facilitate greater understanding by the doctor of his or her presenting difficulties, thus enabling them to regain greater control of their situation."
We help doctors to explore their difficulties, both professional and personal, through Consultant Medical Psychotherapists who have the collective experience of treating over 2000 doctors in the last 20 years.
We aim to facilitate greater understanding by the doctor of his or her presenting difficulties, thus enabling them to regain greater control of their situation."
Looking after you too.
Individual coaching support is available with a highly skilled and experienced coach.
This will be a space for you to offload the demands of whatever you are experiencing and be supported in developing practical strategies for dealing with this.
It might be that through a one-off conversation you have all the strategies you need to cope with your situation and stay well.
Or you might find a few sessions helpful.
It is all led by you.
Individual coaching support is available with a highly skilled and experienced coach.
This will be a space for you to offload the demands of whatever you are experiencing and be supported in developing practical strategies for dealing with this.
It might be that through a one-off conversation you have all the strategies you need to cope with your situation and stay well.
Or you might find a few sessions helpful.
It is all led by you.
Looking after your team. Coaching support for individuals who lead manage or organise a team or group in primary care.
Performance Concerns
NHS England South West
For performance concerns or you may wish to discuss a colleague in confidence contact Iona Neeve (Head of Professional Standards) via: Iona.Neeve@nhs.net.
GMC Doctor Support Service
A dedicated, confidential, emotional support service for any doctor who has been referred to the GMC.
It is an independent free service established to offer telephone support as well as face to face support for up to two days at a hearing if the doctor wishes it.
It is an independent free service established to offer telephone support as well as face to face support for up to two days at a hearing if the doctor wishes it.
|
Call 020 7383 6707
0900 -1700 Monday to Friday |
LMC support
Most Local Medical Committees offer support for GPs grappling with a crisis.
Contact your local LMC to request a confidential consultation.
Contact your local LMC to request a confidential consultation.
Burnout
The Mind Tools website offers a clear description of the definition and causes of burnout as well as tools to prevent it and deal with it.
Time for Care is a programme to help practice teams manage their workload, adopt and spread innovations that free-up clinical time for care.
Further details require a password or email england.si-enquiries@nhs.net.
Further details require a password or email england.si-enquiries@nhs.net.
|
Key documents
|
Support services for doctors across the UK v4 (Practitioner Health Services and Dr Rice)
I think I need help (NHS SW October 2021) signposts help for GPs from numerous sources.
|