Funding cut to NHS staff mental health support services 'deeply concerning'

Responding to the announcement that NHS Practitioner Health has pulled funding for mental health and addiction services for NHS secondary care staff from Monday 15 April until 31 March 2025, Saffron Cordrey, deputy chief executive at NHS Providers said:

"It's deeply concerning that vital funding for mental health support services for NHS hospital staff has been pulled.

"This comes at a particularly challenging time for NHS staff, who are working flat out to deliver high-quality patient care in the face of rising pressure.

"Survey after survey shows low morale and high burnout among NHS staff, with stress, anxiety and depression being the top reasons for staff sickness absence. 

"National funding is needed to bolster trusts' efforts to build better working conditions and support staff wellbeing. We were hugely disappointed when national funding for staff wellbeing hubs was cut, taking away vital mental health support. 

"With more than 111,000 unfilled jobs across the NHS, retention and development of valued healthcare staff is critical to the long-term health and wellbeing of the NHS and the patients it serves."