‘Insulting’ cut to staff support services confirmed by NHSE

NHS England has issued a ‘tokenistic’ and ‘insulting’ funding settlement for staff mental health and wellbeing hubs this year, which is not enough to provide proper support, HSJ has been told.

A letter sent by NHSE to its regional directors, and seen by HSJ, confirmed that the hubs have been allocated just £2.3m for 2023-24. NHSE says the funding, which is far below current running costs, must be spent within the financial year.

It appears to confirm fears that many of the 40 hubs will need to be shut, if they are not funded locally.

One hub lead said: “Day in, day out, we work with colleagues across the NHS who are struggling with a wide range of mental health issues, from anxiety and depression to burnout and dealing with the impacts of moral injury.

“Staff are exhausted, overwhelmed by their workload and struggling to give their patients the care they know they deserve.

“I urge ministers to speak directly to hub leads to find out exactly what the issues are on the ground, and how the hubs are helping staff who are working at their limits, while supporting staff retention.”

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Source: HSJ, 6 July 2023