MDDUS is pleased NHS England will resume new referrals from secondary care staff to NHS Practitioner Health after withdrawing its decision to close the service.
We were dismayed when the plan to cut all new referrals was announced and immediately offered our full support and backing to the team at NHS Practitioner Health.
Our head of medical, Dr Naeem Nazem, issued a statement on social media urging NHS England to reconsider its ‘deeply troubling’ decision.
Following NHS England’s reversal of the closure, Dr Nazem said: “While the initial decision to cut the lifeline service provided by Practitioner Health was a misstep by NHS England, we do welcome their change of heart.
“An extension of services for 12 months for existing and new patients while a wider review of mental health provision is carried out is a much more proportionate response.
“We look forward to being able to play our role in this review with our first-hand understanding of the pressure doctors, dentists and the whole healthcare team are feeling at this time.”
ENDS
The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) is a mutual organisation that protects the professional interests of more than 56,000 doctors and dentists across the United Kingdom, offering access to indemnity, support and legal advice.
For further information, please contact Alison Hardie, head of strategic communications and public affairs, on ahardie@mddus.com or on 07501 421398
This page was correct at the time of publication. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.