Medical defence specialist MDDUS today [7 September] urged its members not to suffer in silence and instead make use of its new, confidential and free wellbeing support service.
The service is at the heart of an overall programme designed by MDDUS to support the 53,000 doctors and dentists it represents to deliver pandemic recovery across the health service.
The organisation’s Support into Pandemic Recovery programme additionally includes:
- specialist advice on how to handle complaints about care delivered during Covid-19
- support for GP practices moving into blended remote and face-to-face consulting, and
- strategies for dealing with challenging patient encounters
Professor Iain Cameron, the newly-appointed chair of MDDUS, said: “As we move into recovery from the pandemic, it’s never been more important for clinicians to have resources and support in place to look after themselves as they care for others.
“We are putting wellbeing support at the forefront, as doctors and dentists play a key role in the national recovery. This will be one of my top priorities as the incoming chair of MDDUS.
“We surveyed our members at the height of the pandemic and found that nearly half of all doctors and dentists were considering leaving the NHS, many because of the anxiety and stress they face.
“That’s why wellbeing support is a vital strand of the programme developed by MDDUS’ expert teams in recognition of the huge effort that’s going to be needed to deliver pandemic recovery across all areas of the health service.”
The MDDUS free and confidential wellbeing support – called YourHalo: Emotional Wellbeing – is a 24/7 service available to its members and delivered in partnership with healthcare rm.
The service is now live and is easy for MDDUS members to access via a dedicated phone number or online. Find out how to on the MDDUS website here.
Dr Naeem Nazem, head of medical division at MDDUS, said: “Being able to manage your wellbeing is really important, particularly at a time when practising as a doctor or dentist can have a heavy emotional toll.
“We hope all our members will find this support invaluable as they prepare to move beyond the pandemic as part of the national recovery effort.”
Mr Stephen Henderson, head of dental division at MDDUS, added: “Clinicians are often so focussed on dealing with the challenges of delivering care in these difficult times that they don’t prioritise their own health and wellbeing. We hope the launch of this new, tailored service will encourage dentists and doctors to recognise their need and speak up if they need support.”
Paul Nattrass, commercial director of healthcare rm, said: “YourHalo: Emotional Wellbeing has been designed to deliver expert advice and support to help users address any immediate symptoms, while also helping people adopt and maintain healthy habits for long-term health and wellbeing.”
Notes:
Prof Iain Cameron is emeritus professor of obstetrics and gynaecology and former dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Southampton. After graduating in medicine from the University of Edinburgh in 1980, he underwent postgraduate clinical and research training in Edinburgh, Melbourne and Cambridge. He held the regius chair of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Glasgow from 1993 and moved to Southampton in 1999.
Two further clinicians have been appointed as non-executive directors of MDDUS:
Dr Satya Bhattacharya, a consultant surgeon at Barts Health NHS Trust, London, for 22 years and now medical director of The London Clinic.
Ms Rebecca Sadler, a practising private dentist and a director for dentistry at Portman Healthcare.
This page was correct at the time of publication. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.