Official NHS figures released today have revealed that over
500,000 sick days taken by NHS staff in England were lost to
mental ill health in May alone.
Labour's Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Dr has said that the figures must serve as a
"wakeup call", and called for a meeting with the Government to
discuss proposals for an urgent package of mental health support
for health and care staff.
Dr , Labour's Shadow Mental Health
Minister, said:
“These statistics must serve as a wakeup call for the Government.
At a time when COVID-19 related sickness absences were going
down, mental ill health absences were soaring.
“Our health and care staff have sacrificed so much during this
pandemic – it demonstrates why Labour's ‘Care for Carers’ package
is so vital. Dedicated mental health support should be available
for all health and care staff.
“Since launching the package in June, I have requested meetings
with the Government – it is a disgrace that this offer has not
been taken up. I urge the Government to reconsider our offer.
"Ahead of winter and a second spike, the Government must learn
the lessons of this spring. We must fight for the mental health
of those who have supported us so courageously during this
crisis.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
- Labour's ‘Care for Carers’ package announced Monday 29 June
2020 can be found here: http://labour.org.uk/careforcarers
Press release: (https://labour.org.uk/press/care-for-carers-package-needed-to-support-mental-health-of-3-million-nhs-and-care-staff/)
- Anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses is
consistently the most reported reason for sickness absence,
accounting for 510,281 full time equivalent days lost and 28.3%
of all sickness absence in May 2020. This is up from 20.9% in
April 2020. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-sickness-absence-rates/may-2020-provisional
- There were 1,800,709 sick days taken in the NHS in England in
May - 510,281 of these were due to
anxiety/stress/depression/other psychiatric illnesses. https://files.digital.nhs.uk/94/52B191/NHS%20Sickness%20Absence%20by%20reason%2C%20May%202020.xlsx
- There were 1,800,709 sick days taken in the NHS in England in
May - 340,900 were lost due to COVID-19 related sickness absence.
https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-sickness-absence-rates/may-2020-provisional
- Labour's Care for Carer's package includes:
Stage 1: National hotline widely advertised and accessible to all
staff, open 24/7, operated by paid staff. It would have a low
threshold, would provide general advice and empathetic listening.
Then there would be an option for specialist assessment where
required, moving to stage 2.
Stage 2: Follow-up support, specialist assessments by mental
health professionals, referrals to psychological support and
unlimited telephone support. Option to move to stage 3.
Stage 3: Intervention and treatment, including fast access to
group or psychological therapies, including specialised PTSD
support. This could include psychotherapy, group therapy,
telephone therapies, case management and prescriptions. Option to
move to stage 4.
Stage 4: Follow up and sign-posted to external services, if
necessary, including alcohol and addiction services. A
centralised secure process ensures patient follow-up can be
enacted upon and can be directed to further assessment services.
