Concern as NHS staff hubs close

NHS and social care staff face “patchy” mental health support across England, leading health organisations have said.

Royal colleges, unions, think tanks and other staff groups have come together to demand that the Government takes “urgent steps” to protect the wellbeing of health and care staff as specialist hubs “continue to close”.

Ring-fenced funding for NHS Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs was cut a year ago, the organisations said, and as a result, staff in need of support are facing a “postcode lottery” of care, with 18 of the original 40 hubs closing since March 2023, they said.

Three hubs are set to close at the end of March, and a further nine are yet to receive confirmation of funding. Just 10 hubs have confirmed funding for part or all of 2024/25.