The Medical Defence Union (MDU) has partnered with charity Doctors in Distress to offer a new mental wellbeing service to members.
The offer will include peer support groups for foundation doctors and a series of webinars for final year students.
All doctors, regardless of indemnity membership, can access free online programmes from Doctors in Distress to help their mental wellbeing such as creative writing, photography and living with grief.
The GMC’s state of training report, published today, said the NHS must address why general practice is less attractive to UK graduates. Systems must tackle issues around workload and burnout in order to make a GP career more attractive, the regulator argued.
Dr Caroline Fryar, MDU director of medical services, commented: ‘Unfortunately, many healthcare professionals feel overworked, overwhelmed, burned out and under greater pressure than ever before.
‘At the MDU, we are always looking for ways to support our members and partner with organisations who also understand the concerns and difficulties medical professionals are currently facing.
‘I’m pleased that through our partnership with Doctors in Distress, our student and foundation members will be able to access a safe, confidential space and psychological support services.”
Ann Paul, chief executive officer at Doctors in Distress, said: ‘Doctors in Distress is delighted to be partnering with the MDU and is pleased to announce our joint commitment to expanding the provision of confidential and safe spaces for all healthcare professionals.
‘This partnership reinforces our shared dedication to protecting the mental health of medical professionals and furthering our mission to prevent suicide within the profession.’
