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NHS staff are “breaking down” on the frontline of the fight against coronavirus, a Labour MP and A&E doctor has warned.
Shadow mental health minister and A&E doctor Rosena Allin-Khan has written to the Health Secretary Matt Hancock to seek assurances that medics are getting the support they need.
She said their mental health must be made a priority now rather than when the crisis is over.
In the letter, Ms Allin-Khan said the fear of spreading the virus to patients and loved ones, a lack of PPE, an increased workload and witnessing more patients die were taking their toll.
Dr Allin-Khan asked Mr Hancock to outline what provisions are in place to support the mental health of frontline staff, and called on the Government to publish real-time data on suicide numbers.
She said it was “clear” from conversations with colleagues and unions that there is a “rise in suicides, self-harm and suicidal ideation among frontline NHS and care staff”.
“It is vital that in order to tackle this, there is real-time data to understand where particular pinch points may be and where resources need to be directed,” she wrote.
Dr Allin-Khan also said the need for talking therapies is “now more important than ever”, but also urged the Government to ensure post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) support is in place once the acute stage is over.
She wrote: “Increasingly, NHS staff are breaking down – I see it first-hand working shifts.
UK landmarks light up blue for NHS staff fighting coronavirus
1/19
The Shard in London is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff fighting against coronavirus
2/19
Tower Bridge in London is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to hardworking NHS staff
PA
3/19
Tower Bridge in London is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to hardworking NHS staff
4/19
The London Eye is pictured lit blue in support of the NHS
Reuters
5/19
London’s Piccadilly Circus saluting local heroes during Thursday’s nationwide Clap for Carers NHS initiative to applaud NHS workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic
PA
6/19
Selfridges lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff fighting coronavirus on the frontline
PA
7/19
Fulwell Windmill in Sunderland is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff fighting coronavirus
PA
8/19
MediaCityUK in Manchester lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to hardworking NHS staff
PA
9/19
Northern Spire Bridge in Sunderland is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to hardworking NHS staff
PA
10/19
Belfast City Hall is lit up in support of the NHS
Reuters
11/19
The SSE Arena, Wembley, is seen with a lit up sign for the Clap For Our Carers campaign
REUTERS
12/19
Tawstock Court in Barnstaple lit up in blue
PA
13/19
Ashton Gate, the home of Bristol City FC is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks
PA
14/19
Wembley stadium is seen lit up blue
REUTERS
15/19
Wembley Arch in London is lit up in blue
PA
16/19
The Lowry lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff who are trying to battle coronavirus.
PA
17/19
The Tyne Bridge in Newcastle is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff
PA
18/19
People applaud infront of big screen in Piccadilly Circus during the Clap For Our Carers campaign
Reuters
19/19
The Shard in London is lit up blue
1/19
The Shard in London is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff fighting against coronavirus
2/19
Tower Bridge in London is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to hardworking NHS staff
PA
3/19
Tower Bridge in London is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to hardworking NHS staff
4/19
The London Eye is pictured lit blue in support of the NHS
Reuters
5/19
London’s Piccadilly Circus saluting local heroes during Thursday’s nationwide Clap for Carers NHS initiative to applaud NHS workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic
PA
6/19
Selfridges lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff fighting coronavirus on the frontline
PA
7/19
Fulwell Windmill in Sunderland is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff fighting coronavirus
PA
8/19
MediaCityUK in Manchester lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to hardworking NHS staff
PA
9/19
Northern Spire Bridge in Sunderland is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to hardworking NHS staff
PA
10/19
Belfast City Hall is lit up in support of the NHS
Reuters
11/19
The SSE Arena, Wembley, is seen with a lit up sign for the Clap For Our Carers campaign
REUTERS
12/19
Tawstock Court in Barnstaple lit up in blue
PA
13/19
Ashton Gate, the home of Bristol City FC is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks
PA
14/19
Wembley stadium is seen lit up blue
REUTERS
15/19
Wembley Arch in London is lit up in blue
PA
16/19
The Lowry lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff who are trying to battle coronavirus.
PA
17/19
The Tyne Bridge in Newcastle is lit up in blue in a gesture of thanks to the hardworking NHS staff
PA
18/19
People applaud infront of big screen in Piccadilly Circus during the Clap For Our Carers campaign
Reuters
19/19
The Shard in London is lit up blue
“From a fear of spreading the virus to patients and loved ones, a lack of PPE, an increased workload owing to the number of cases and staff absences, to being redeployed to ICUs and witnessing more patients die – staff are experiencing greater pressure, which is inevitably taking its toll on their mental health.
“At this time of crisis, staff mental health must be a priority now. It simply cannot be an afterthought once the acute stage of the crisis is over.”
Last month, the NHS launched a mental health hotline to offer support to hundreds of thousands of health workers on the frontline.
Anyone needing help with the pressures they are facing will be able to call or text a free number staffed by more than 1,500 trained volunteers.
The volunteers, including from Hospice UK, the Samaritans and Shout, will listen to NHS staff – or those from social care – and give psychological support to those in need.
Prerana Issar, chief people officer for the NHS, said: “We need to do everything we can to support our incredible NHS people as they care for people through this global health emergency.
“That’s why we have developed a range of support for all NHS staff, from one-to-one mental health support to a sympathetic voice to confide in.”
Staff can text FRONTLINE to 85258 or call 0300 131 7000.