New mental health funding for NHS staff welcome, but doesn’t go far enough, says BPS

The British Psychological Society is encouraged by the new £16m wellbeing programme for NHS staff but warns that it falls short of what is needed to support the mental health needs of the workforce. 

The announcement comes after funding for the NHS staff mental health and wellbeing hubs was withdrawn in March 2023, with just £2.3 million provided in July 2023 for the remainder of the year. This has led to 19 hubs across England closing their doors, while another eight face closure in the coming months.

Responding to today's announcement, Dr Roman Raczka, President-Elect of The British Psychological Society, said:

"For more than 18 months, the BPS has led an alliance of organisations calling for investment in the mental health and wellbeing of the NHS workforce. Today's announcement therefore is a step in the right direction.

"It is worrying however that this investment is not coming directly from the employer. Protecting the mental health of the workforce should be a priority for any organisation and should not have to be outsourced to a charity. 

"The amount of funding announced also doesn't go far enough to address the sheer scale of the problem. The annual operating costs of the NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs was £38.5m in England alone, so £16m funding for all four nations over three years falls very short. Sadly, it will also come as too little too late for the staff members whose hubs have closed or are in the process of closing.

"Evidence shows long term investment at scale in staff mental health and wellbeing is required, and we believe this investment should ideally be government-led and ringfenced. Therefore, we are particularly concerned that the funding might be a one-off investment. There is also no mention of whether the social care workforce will be able to access these services, meaning thousands of social care staff risk being left with no support at all.  

"Any future services commissioned must be evidence-based, psychologically-led and trauma informed, offering a combination of reactive and preventative support to the workforce. Fundamentally, they must also be provided alongside the systemic changes needed to improve the working environment and conditions. 

"The remaining hubs continue to be utilised by the workforce with staff presenting with moderate to severe mental health problems, some suicidal. It's crucial this level of support continues, to help staff return to or remain in work, and reduce sickness absence. 

"It is vital that learning from the NHS staff mental health and wellbeing hubs is included in the review and co-design of services announced today. We look forward to working with NHS Charities Together and NHS England to share our findings to inform future services."

The BPS report 'Learning from the NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs' captures key insights and evidence from hubs provision to help shape future services.