Support for individuals

• The British Medical Association (BMA) has a free and confidential 24/7 counselling and peer support service open to all doctors and medical students, their partners and dependents. You do not need to be a member of the BMA to use the service and you can call them on 0330 123 1245.  

• The NHS has a confidential text support service, which you can access by texting FRONTLINE to 85258 for support 24/7. You can also use the NHS free and confidential self-check tool to access further information on the range of support offers that are available. 

• Practitioner Health is a free, confidential NHS Primary care mental health and addiction service with expertise in treating health and care professionals.    

• The Intensive Care Society have worked with the intensive care units at Royal United Hospitals Bath and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board to produce the TIM: Team Immediate Meet. The TIM is a communication tool and psychological first aid to be used after any clinical event that may cause distress. 

• The Intensive Care Society has produced an Unexpected Death of a Colleague First Aid Kit.

• The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh has resources available to help those how are being bullied in the workplace.  Whistleblowing hotline for NHS staff: 08000 724 725.

• The Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health website hosts links to health, wellbeing and other referral sites for doctors in need.

• The Association of Anaesthetists has a list of resources and emergency contacts.

• Rehab 4 Addiction was founded to assist those affected by substance misuse and their loved ones. They offer a range of services covering alcohol rehab, drug rehab, detox services, intervention and aftercare, helping to signpost the most effective treatments. 

• The Vascular Society and Rouleaux Club have created a Guide for those experiencing Bullying Harassment and Undermining as well as a Guide for Vascular Surgery Trainees Experiencing Sexual Harassment. 

   

Industrial action in the NHS

We have compiled some information and FAQs for members about the ongoing industrial action by junior doctors. This includes signposting to further guidance and support. Although the College does not have a role in negotiations about our members’ terms and conditions of service, we recognise the right of doctors and other healthcare professionals to take industrial action, and we understand why many may wish to do so.

Faculty representatives who can support you 

Our Faculty representatives can support you in your training. These roles include Faculty Tutors and Regional Advisors.  

Doctors in Distress

Doctors in Distress exists to promote and protect the mental health of all healthcare workers and to prevent suicide. They aim to provide support to healthcare workers before they present with a diagnosable mental health condition.

They are not a crisis service.

For example, people tend to go to their support group if they feel:

• Stressed
• Overwhelmed
• Struggling with burnout
• Have been subject to a complaint
• Nervous about exams

The charity runs a range of support groups. They broadly fit under 3 categories:​

1. Weekly drop in support group​​ - Wednesdays 12:30-1:30​
2. Doctor 1in4 / Nurse and Midwife 2in3 ​​- 45 minute long webinars with Q+A​
3. Creativity groups​​

​All their groups are free​ and confidential ​

​To find out about their current offering, click here

Further resources:    

• Doctors in Distress weekly support group
• Support for Doctors and Dentists: NHS Practitioner Health – Free, confidential NHS mental health and addiction service.
• SHOUT 8258: Free textline, open 24/7

The GMC has also published new resources to support victims and survivors of sexual misconduct by doctors. ‘What to do if you think you have been subject to sexual misconduct by a doctor’ explains sexual misconduct, how to raise a concern, what to expect from an investigation and what organisations can provide support.