Our response to the NHS Staff & Learners' Mental Wellbeing Commission Report

Statement / comment
20 February 2019

Professor Wendy Burn, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists said: “Appointing a senior member of staff as Wellbeing Guardian in every NHS trust is a key recommendation from this report and a welcome one.

“We know from speaking to our members that staff are often put under unnecessary pressure due to processes that could be amended under the leadership of a Wellbeing Guardian.

“For example, we hear from our trainees of rota problems that include being put on call when a family holiday or even a wedding has been planned months in advance and notice given to the rota organiser. This sort of incident affects morale and makes clinicians’ lives harder.

“A Wellbeing Guardian would have oversight of problems like this and encourage staff to truly flourish at their jobs which would ultimately benefit patients.

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