A third (33%) of psychiatrists in Northern Ireland are experiencing work-related stress or burnout every week, according to a new membership survey from the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland.
More than 70% of psychiatrists are considering leaving their current role, with almost one in five (17%) considering quitting within the next year.
This comes amid an urgent workforce crisis – with 31% of consultant and specialty psychiatrist posts vacant across Northern Ireland.
Today’s report highlights the severe impact of staffing shortages and soaring workloads, forcing RCPsych in NI to call for immediate government investment in expansion of psychiatry training places to meet the rising demand for services.
When patient care should be at the heart of service delivery, nearly a quarter (23%) of psychiatrists say they lack sufficient time to spend with each patient to provide the quality of care they strive for. This echoes findings from a 2025 RCPsych NI survey, which revealed that 89% of psychiatrists have experienced or witnessed (moral injury) distress caused by being unable to meet patients’ needs due to system pressures.
Today, more than 80% of psychiatrists have said they do not feel sufficiently supported by government policy. They also stressed the urgent need for serious investment in workforce planning across mental health services, backed by proper funding, clearer career pathways and stronger leadership.
The College’s Time to Bridge The Gaps report has highlighted the widening gap between the goals set out in the government’s 10-year Mental Health Strategy and the funding allocated to deliver it along with clear recommendations to recruit and retain a specialist workforce.
Today the College is reinforcing the urgent need for significant expansion of psychiatry training posts at both core and higher levels to develop a workforce capable of meeting future demand.
Dr Julie Anderson, Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland, said:
“The crisis in mental health care in Northern Ireland cannot be overstated. With over a third of senior psychiatry doctor posts unfilled.
“This survey underscores the scale of the challenge and the urgent need for government action to improve staff retention across mental health services and meet the growing demand.
“With an already overstretched workforce, we cannot afford to lose more psychiatrists from a vital public service under severe pressure. Staffing shortages have a direct impact on patients, limiting access to services, increasing waiting times and affecting the care and treatment that can be provided.
“This warning comes as Northern Ireland faces higher levels of mental illness than the rest of the UK, despite receiving less funding than other nations.
“Compassionate, timely care should always be a priority at the point of need, and urgent action is required to retain and recruit psychiatrists in Northern Ireland. The situation demands immediate attention, and urgency is key. We need a long-term plan in place now, before it is too late.”
For further information, please contact:
- Email: press@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Twitter: @rcpsych
- Out-of-hours contact number: 07860 755896