“One Stop” mental wellbeing resource needed as doctors go from Covid-19 frontline to tackling referral backlog
The Government, HSE and private healthcare providers must work together to improve access to mental wellbeing support for healthcare workers as they go from fighting Covid-19 on the frontline, straight to tackling a colossal referral backlog which will lead to further exhaustion, the Medical Protection Society (MPS) said today.
MPS – the world’s leading protection organisation for healthcare professionals, supporting over 21,000 in Ireland – said doctors may be experiencing burnout, grief or PTSD from treating Covid-19 patients, but will not have time to seek treatment or recuperate before facing the many thousands of patients with delayed diagnoses following the cancellation of non-urgent care.
The organisation said doctors will carry on because of their sense of duty, but it fears many will become disillusioned or suffer in silence, putting the safety of themselves and their patients at risk.
It called on the Government, HSE and private healthcare providers to provide a centralised “One Stop” mental wellbeing resource, so a range of existing support and resources can be accessed by all healthcare workers more quickly and easily. It said the HSE’s ‘Mind your mental health’ webpage, which provides general tips, could provide the basis for something more comprehensive.
Dr Pallavi Bradshaw, Medicolegal Lead, Risk Prevention at MPS, said: “Healthcare workers are used to pressure and exhaustion, but those on the Covid-19 frontline will have experienced the biggest health crisis in their careers with countless patients and some family members lost.
“They need a range of support and time to recuperate, yet they now face a colossal referral backlog which will lead to further physical and mental exhaustion. The backlog will have also resulted in delayed diagnoses or treatments for patients with serious conditions, and this will sadly impact on their outcomes. Such situations are devastating for the patients and doctors involved, and may also give rise to medicolegal disputes, claims and investigations creating more distress.
“Doctors will carry on regardless because of their sense of duty and vocation, but they are at great risk of becoming disillusioned or suffering in silence with chronic psychological injuries. Both of which put the safety of themselves and their patients at risk.
“During the height of the Covid-19 crisis in Ireland, we saw how the system can respond swiftly and creatively, and we hope to see the same drive behind mental wellbeing. There are some great resources available by a range of organisations, but they are hard to find – information about these services should be consolidated into a centralised “one stop” mental wellbeing resource so healthcare workers can access the support they need quickly and easily.”