Dr Richard Duggins, a consultant psychiatrist and burnout expert, is clinical lead of the North East and North Cumbria Staff Health and Wellbeing Hub, which has won national awards and is now cited as a model for the rest of the country. The hub provides mental health and wellbeing support to over 175,000 health and social care staff in the region, representing about six per cent of the working age population.
Rising burnout before and after Covid
Dr Duggins told ChronicleLive that poor mental health rates in NHS and social care staff had been rising before the Covid-19 pandemic, "skyrocketed" during it, and have never returned to pre-pandemic levels. He noted that health and social care is the most burnt-out sector of the UK workforce, with staff often working long hours under intense pressure while juggling busy family lives.
Two-fold purpose of the hub
The hub was established for two reasons: to support health and care staff, and to benefit the organisations they work for. Dr Duggins explained: "Every staff member we are able to help to feel better is someone who can get back to working. That's people working in your GP surgery or in community nursing." The most common reasons staff seek help are stress and burnout, followed by anxiety and depression.
Financial and patient benefits
Research has shown that for every pound invested in the hub, the NHS sees a return of £3.18. Dr Duggins said: "If we care for our staff, they are better placed to offer the best care for patients. Every time we help a health professional stay well and stay in work, that's one more person able to run a clinic, carry out an operation or help to lower waiting lists." Nine out of ten users report that the hub helped them stay in or return to work.
Expansion and recognition
The hub expanded last year and won a top award in June's NHS Excellence awards. Dr Duggins called it "fantastic news for the region and a real accolade for the team." The hub sees upwards of 200 people a month and is led by mental health experts, with additional support for musculoskeletal, menopause, and alcohol issues. Health and care staff can self-refer via the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board website.
