NHS England and NHS Improvement has strengthened the mental health support offer for all healthcare staff, including primary care health team members in general practices, community pharmacies and optometry and dental practices, to ensure they have rapid access to mental health services and support. This includes establishing 40 local staff mental health and wellbeing hubs which offer those who need it a rapid clinical assessment by a mental health professional and access to talking therapies, secondary care mental health services, and other services as clinically indicated.

We have also worked with NHS Practitioner Health to put in place an enhanced mental health service to which hubs can refer primary care health team members who may have more complex needs. This service can offer access to prescribing clinicians, addiction services and interventions focused on trauma. Staff at AfC grade 8d and above, and doctors and dentists, can self-refer to the service.

There is a wide range of wellbeing support for all primary care health team members, which you can access on the Our NHS People website.