Member wellbeing and mental health

HA | Wisdom Wellbeing

At MDDUS, we understand that the pressures of modern healthcare extend far beyond clinical decision-making. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Health Assured to offer our members free access to HA | Wisdom Wellbeing – a comprehensive support service designed to protect your mental, emotional and professional wellbeing.

Whether you're navigating the impact of a difficult patient interaction, coping with trauma, or feeling the strain of your role, HA | Wisdom Wellbeing is here to help – confidentially, compassionately, and 24/7. 

If you do use this service, it is free and does not affect your subscription fee, no matter how often you may use it. This service is extended to your partner/spouse and any young adults (aged 16-24) residing at your address. 

What’s included – at no extra cost to MDDUS members:

• 24/7 confidential helpline for emotional and psychological support
• Enhanced Psychological Support (EPS) – specialist interventions for trauma, bereavement, discrimination and more
• Structured Professional Support (SPS) – proactive wellbeing coaching from experienced clinicians
• Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) – group and individual debriefs following distressing events
• Workshops and training on stress, resilience, leadership, mental health first aid, suicide prevention and more
• Financial wellbeing and coaching – practical support to help you manage money and reduce financial stress
• Access to the Wisdom app which gives you access to a wellbeing tracker, breathing techniques, health plans, mini health checks and more
• Live chat functionality is available through the Wisdom app, ensuring you have access to help when you need it most.  

Help yourself to help others

It has never been more important for healthcare professionals to look after their mental wellbeing. Anxiety, stress, depression and other psychiatric illnesses were the most reported reason for sickness in 2023. (NHS, Sickness Absence Rates, Published April 2024).

The 2024 GMC report ‘The state of medical education and practice in the UK’ found that workloads are high and professional satisfaction is low. A third of medical professionals surveyed said they were struggling and unable to cope.

NHSX statistics also show that NHS staff sickness absence is on the rise, with the most common reasons for sickness absence identified as anxiety, stress and depression. 

Long working hours and intense workload pressures are often regarded as part and parcel of the medical and dental professions. However, in a climate of reduced budgets and increased demands on clinicians, new symptoms of long-term exhaustion are emerging. 

A recent MDDUS survey found that seven in 10 GPs have experienced compassion fatigue – a form of emotional exhaustion that can undermine patient care. Worryingly, 44% are concerned that this could lead to unsafe care, while 64% of all doctors and 77% of GPs say it affects their ability to communicate with patients..

Working extended hours and cancelling holidays might provide short-term solutions, but such moves can negatively impact a healthcare professional’s work-life balance and personal wellbeing.

When wellbeing is neglected, it can leave medical and dental professionals vulnerable to fatigue and impaired concentration, both of which are factors that can jeopardise patient safety. Medico- and dento-legal concerns are especially stressful for healthcare professionals, so knowing when and where to turn for support is vital.

How to seek help

Clinicians must take a step back to consider whether they (or indeed a colleague) are experiencing symptoms related to burnout or exhaustion and ask for help, where appropriate. Not only is there no need to “just get on with it” but doing so when experiencing mental health difficulties can also impact the ability to practice safely.

If you are unwell, don’t rely on your own assessment of your health or even that of a colleague. Seek the independent advice and help of your own GP.

GMC and GDC guidance

The General Medical Council (GMC) and General Dental Council (GDC) make it clear in their guidance that doctors and dentists must ensure they are in a fit state of health to practise.

Actions to take if a colleague is struggling

Clinicians also have a duty to take prompt and appropriate action if patient safety is compromised. This includes the risks posed by a colleague who is struggling to cope with stress or ill-health. Those affected should be encouraged to seek help but, if they fail to do so, the regulators are clear that they expect colleagues to intervene.

The GMC's Good medical practice states: “If you have concerns that a colleague may not be fit to practise and may be putting patients at risk, you must ask for advice from a colleague, your defence body, or us. If you are still concerned, you must report this, in line with your workplace policy and our more detailed guidance on Raising and acting on concerns about patient safety.”

Actions to take if you are struggling

The GMC has similar advice if you know or suspect your judgement could be affected, in this case by mental health concerns. It says: “You should try to take care of your own health and wellbeing, recognising if you may not be fit for work. You should seek independent professional advice about your fitness for work, rather than relying on your own assessment.” 

The GDC’s Standards for the dental team takes a similar line, stating: “If you believe that patients might be at risk because of your health, behaviour or professional performance or that of a colleague, or because of any aspect of the clinical environment, you must take prompt and appropriate action.”

Mental wellbeing - Top tips for healthcare professionals

1. Make time to talk: It is important for colleagues to speak to each other about any difficulties they are having at work. This type of direct communication can be very helpful in trying to identify and reduce problems. A simple step could be to start a daily period set aside for an informal meet-up.
2. Connect: Try to make time for your family and friends, and for you to feel supported by them. Take time to speak with your colleagues, not just your patients. Get to know those who work in the area around your place of work and be part of your local community. Building connections in this way will support and enrich you every day. For example, linking your practice with the Parkrun initiative can be a good way of extending community connections.
3. Take notice: By reflecting on your experiences, you will appreciate what matters to you. Be aware of the world around you, and notice how you are feeling.
4. Keep learning: Taking up a new hobby or improving your skills in a pastime you are passionate about can be enjoyable and improve your confidence. Why not consider taking up a hobby you’ve always found yourself putting off up until now? You could even use this time to view MDDUS’ on-demand webinar which looks at how you can take care of your personal wellbeing outside of work, available here.
5. Be active: Try to take time away from your desk/work duties at some point during your shift. Why not go for a walk or a run during your lunch break? Regular physical activity has been associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety.
6. Consult NHS Employers’ How are you feeling today? NHS toolkit. It aims to boost staff wellbeing by encouraging conversation about emotional wellbeing in the workplace.
7. Take time for yourself: It’s important (although not always easy) to have a good work-life balance and enjoy home life. Take time to do the things you enjoy, such as reading a favourite book, a meal with family, or exercise.
8. Contact local support in your area (see links below) for additional advice and support.

Support resources

UK-WIDE

MDDUS members:- Contact HA | Wisdom Wellbeing

BMA Wellbeing Support Services (for doctors and medical students)

BMA Wellbeing Support Services has a counselling service staffed by professional telephone counsellors 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Counsellors are all members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and are bound by strict codes of confidentiality and ethical practice. There is also a peer support service giving doctors and medical students in distress or difficulty the choice of speaking in confidence to another doctor who has experience of supporting colleagues. BMA’s Wellbeing Support Services are open to all doctors and medical students. They are confidential and free-of-charge.

Call: 0330 123 1245

Website: www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/your-wellbeing

Confidental (for dentists)

A telephone helpline service manned by dedicated dentist volunteers who have received training in listening to colleagues who require emotional support.

Freephone: 0333 987 5158, 24 hours a day.

Website: www.confidental-helpline.org/

NHS Practitioner Health (for doctors, dentists and allied professionals)

Practitioner Health is a free, confidential NHS mental health treatment service with expertise in treating healthcare professionals. The service is available to any registered doctor or dentist (and staff grade 8d and above) in England who has a mental health illness, and has now also become available to all health and care staff in Scotland.

The service can help with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. They also see healthcare professionals with more severe illnesses, such as bipolar affective disorder, personality disorders and psychosis and with a range of addiction issues.

Freephone: 0300 030 3300 (8am – 8pm Monday to Friday & 8:00am to 2:00pm on Saturdays).

Website: www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk 

Samaritans (for doctors, dentists, allied HCPs and students)

“Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you.”

Call: 116 123 for free

Website: www.samaritans.org/

Doctor’s Support Network (for doctors and medical students)

A confidential peer support network for doctors and medical students with concerns about their mental health.

Website: www.dsn.org.uk/

Dentists' Health Support Trust (for dentists)

Provides dental professionals with free support and advice on a range of issues affecting mental health and emotional wellbeing

Call: 0207 224 4671. Email: dentistsprogramme@gmail.com

Website: www.dentistshealthsupporttrust.org/

British Doctors and Dentists Group (for doctors and dentists)

A mutual / self-help group of doctors and dentists, from all levels within these professions, who are addicted to alcohol and/or drugs and who are living, or who wish to live, in a recovery programme free of alcohol and drugs.

Call: 07792 819 966. Email: info@bddg.org

Website: www.bddg.org/

Sick Doctors Trust (for doctors, dentists and medical & dental students)

Provides support and help for doctors, dentists and medical students who are concerned about their use of drugs or alcohol.

Call: 0370 444 5163. This is a confidential helpline which is available 24 hours a day

BDA Benevolent Fund (for dentists and dental students)

A charity which supports all dental students, dentists and their families in financial need.

Call: 020 7486 4994 (9.30-5.30 weekdays). Email: generalmanager@dentistshelp.org

Website: www.bdabenevolentfund.org.uk/

Royal Medical Benevolent Fund (for doctors and medical students)

The UK charity for doctors, medical students and their families. The RMBF provides financial support, money advice and information when it is most needed, due to age, ill health, disability and bereavement.

Call: 020 8540 9194 (option 1) Email: help@rmbf.org

Website: rmbf.org/

NORTHERN IRELAND

General Dental Services Assistance Programme (for dentists)

The General Dental Services Assistance Programme is available to GDS Contracted Dentists in Northern Ireland.

24/7 free confidential support line: 0800 389 5362

Website: Click here for more information

Public Health Agency - Staff health and wellbeing (for doctors, dentists, allied HCPs and students)

Resources to support staff health and wellbeing, including access to psychological helplines.

Website: Here