The College is here to support you throughout your career and help you find advice on the issues that affect you when you need it. These might be questions on health and wellbeing, financial worries or pension queries. We’ve brought together a wide variety of resources on this page to help signpost you to the most appropriate support for your concerns.
 
 

COVID-19 - Talks

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the College held weekly evening meetings on COVID-19 for healthcare professionals. Several meetings were held again in 2021. These talks are available on the College's Education Portal, available to both members and non-members (non-members can create a free account).

In 2022, the College organised a joint Symposium with the Hong Kong College of Physicians - Long-term Impact of COVID on our Patients, our Workforce & our Healthcare Systems. This Symposium is only available on the Education Portal to members.

COVID-19 - Wellbeing resources

Please note: We have not quality assured the resources. Please use the following resources in conjunction with your own clinical judgement and local and/or national guidelines.

 

COVID-19 - Wellbeing related information

 

Useful resources to support physical and mental wellbeing 

BMA directory of wellbeing support services offers signposting to a range of organisations, services and websites which can offer help on a wide variety of issues.

NHS Improvement: Engaging, supporting and valuing doctors in training: improving wellbeing and support features case studies which explore initiatives to improve wellbeing and better support doctors in training, for example how Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust developed its 'Steps 4 Wellness' programme for improving physical health, mental health, making healthy choices and socialising at work.

NHS Health Education England: NHS Staff and Learners’ Mental Wellbeing Commission. The Commission’s aim is to see an NHS where staff and learners are happy and feel fulfilled in their work, where they look forward to going to work and are proud of the care they provide to their patients. There is good evidence that happy staff are more compassionate and provide safer care.

NHS Employers How are you feeling NHS? Toolkit this easy-to-use resource can be used to check your own wellbeing or speak to and support colleagues with their emotional wellbeing.

The NHS Employers’ Health and Wellbeing Framework is an interactive document that makes the case for staff health and wellbeing, sets out clear actionable steps for each of the 14 areas and includes guidance on how organisations can plan and deliver a staff health and wellbeing strategy.

Society Occupational Medicine: The Society’s report What could make a difference to the mental health of UK doctors? A review of the research evidence includes a list of occupational support services for doctors

The BMA has produced guidance for doctors and other clinical staff on how best to manage the risks of fatigue associated with current working patterns and the Medical Protection Society has advice on  Surviving a night shift.
 

Specific resources for doctors

Royal Medical Benevolent Fund
The RMBF is the UK charity for doctors, medical students and their families. They provide financial support, money advice and information when it is most needed due to age, ill health, disability and bereavement.

Doctors' Support Network
Peer support for doctors and medical students with mental health concerns

DocHealth
DocHealth is a confidential, not for profit, psychotherapeutic consultation service for all doctors, supported by charitable donations from the British Medical Association and Royal Medical Benevolent Fund. It is delivered by Consultant Medical Psychotherapists based at BMA House in London. Although located in London the service is open to all doctors in the UK.

BMA Wellbeing support services
Available to doctors and medical students, the BMA Wellbeing confidential support services are available on 0330 123 1245. You don't have to be a member of the BMA to use this service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

NHS Practitioner Health Programme
The programme is an award winning, free and confidential NHS service for doctors and dentists with issues relating to a mental health concern or addiction problem, in particular where these might affect their work.

NHS Resolution indemnity scheme
A new scheme has been launched by NHS Resolution to meet liabilities arising from the special healthcare arrangements being put in place in response to the coronavirus pandemic.                            

Health and wellbeing for all

The College has worked to improve public health for nearly 350 years and promotes health and wellbeing for all. Our health and wellbeing group pursues a programme aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyles by promoting healthy choices. The group considers topics such as healthy weight, tobacco and alcohol consumption, as well as promoting physical activity and mental wellbeing in collaboration with colleagues from across the health and third sectors.

We’ve called on government to review the amenities and services available to the NHS workforce in terms of suitable rest facilities, provision of adequate fluids, nutritious food and opportunities for exercise and relaxation in hospital settings as well as access to services to support those with mental health and wellbeing concerns, building on the recent NHS Staff and Learners’ Mental Wellbeing Commission.  

Financial and pension concerns

The Money Advice Service
The MAS provides free and impartial money advice, set up by government. They offer advice and guides to help improve your finances; tools and calculators to help keep track and plan ahead and support over the phone and online. Whether you are considering pensions and retirement, debt and borrowing or illness and disability, the MAS has a huge amount of information and support available. 

The NHS Pension scheme
Senior NHS clinicians have been concerned that pension tax charges are making them retire early or change their working habits. The UK Government has been consulting on a new set of proposals to offer senior clinicians more control over their pensions growth. The new proposals include a ‘flexible accrual’ option where members can choose an accrual level in 10% increments and the option to ‘fine tune’ pension growth towards the end of the scheme year, when total earnings are clearer. If you are concerned about your pension please seek professional advice.

The BMA: NHS Pension Scheme FAQs
The BMA have provided a variety of information including further details of the pension scheme; tax queries; pensions calculator and an A – Z of FAQs. They have also produced guidance for members on the annual allowance and a range of different resources.

The Pensions Advisory Service (TPAS)
TPAS offer free, impartial help with all pension matters covering workplace, personal and stakeholder schemes and also the State Pension. They answer general questions, help with specific queries and offer guidance for people with complaints about their private pension scheme.

The Citizens Advice Bureau provides free online help on many issues, including debt, benefits, money, employment and consumer rights. For face-to-face advice search for a Citizens Advice Bureau near you.  Citizens Advice Scotland offers advice on benefits, debt and money – find your nearest branch to make an appointment.

Correspondence between Jeremy Hunt MP, Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, and Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England, on the issue of the NHS Annual Allowance Policy 19-20 and clinical academics.

Further information: 
PDF icon correspondence_between_chair_and_simons_stevens_clinical_academics_and_2019-20_pensions_allowance_05.03.20_10.03.20_1.pdf