DOCS DRIVEN TO THE BRINK

Suicide rate of NHS staff equal to one life lost every three days

- NICOLA SMALL and MIKEY SMITH

OVERWORKED NHS staff are being driven to suicide, with one life lost every three days.

A shocking 144 took their own lives in 2021 the most recent records available. That is up nearly 40% from 105 in 2011.

The most recent year's toll included 62 nurses, two midwives, six paramedics and 10 doctors.

The figures, published by the Office for National Statistics, come as ministers are urged to rethink a move to scrap mental health support funding for NHS workers.

Among those who took their own lives last year was junior doctor Vaish Kumar, 35, who left a note criticising the hospital where she worked.