Wellbeing - bswtraininghub.nhs.uk

Working in primary care can be incredibly rewarding, but we know it also comes with real pressures. Rising demand, busy workloads and supporting patients who may be anxious or worried can all take their toll. When these challenges are balanced alongside concerns about our own health and the everyday demands of family and friends, it’s completely natural to feel stressed at times.

The good news is that support is available, and you don’t have to face these pressures alone.

The resources on this page are here to help you look after your wellbeing and feel supported in the vital work you do.

Staff Support

National / Regional NHS staff support and wellbeing

NHS England has established a number of staff mental health and wellbeing hubs which have been set up to provide health and social care colleagues rapid access to assessment and local evidence-based mental health services and support where needed.

The hub offer is confidential and free of charge for all health and social care staff and can offer a clinical assessment and referral to local services enabling access to support where needed, such as talking therapy or counselling. The offer is separate and confidential from your organisation.

Staff mental health and wellbeing hubs are open to all health and social care staff, from all services and settings. You can self-refer or refer a colleague, with their consent.

You can also see the current staff wellbeing offers or talking therapies available, also everyone including health and social care staff can access help from their GP.

Colourful illustration representing wellbeing, including icons for relaxation, healthy sleep, movement, nutrition and mental balance.

Further resources

Wellbeing support poster – contact information for wellbeing support
Bitesize Learning – expert‑led short courses to support your wellbeing, build skills and enhance your experience at work, covering topics such as resilience, motivation and leadership.
MECC Link – is an online signposting tool available to everyone in B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire to help find out where support can be accessed for health and wellbeing.
The free Midlife MOT website – encourages people to review their skills and brings together trusted services to help you start thinking about your work, health and money with future planning in mind.
Doctors in Distress

Resources for Managers

Tips for managers – tips for managers, including emotional regulation systems, and what you can do for yourself and others.

Looking after Your Team – includes coaching about you and your team and more information about the course. Looking After You – Poster

An online advice service has been developed on GOV.UK giving support with employee health and disability for employers and managers to help you support employees and understand any legal requirements. There are links to government and other organisations that can help. The guidance will help you with things such as managing absences and keeping in touch, having conversations with your employee, in and out of work, and deciding on changes to help them stay or come back to work.

ACAS – Health and Wellbeing – free and impartial advice and guidance for employers as well as employees.

CIPD wellbeing resources – resources to learn about the business benefits of championing worker wellbeing and find out how to promote initiatives in your organisation.

Illustration showing three yellow light bulbs growing on green stems with leaves against a blue sky, representing ideas, growth and wellbeing.

Looking After Yourself

It’s never the wrong time to consider your own mental health and wellbeing. For doctors and dentists in England, NHS Practitioner Health can offer:

Free mental health treatment and support
Access to a network of clinicians and therapists
Prescribing and inpatient care in a confidential service

Access is via self-referral and the service can see and treat mental health and addiction issues at any level. All other NHS staff can access a range of free wellbeing resources via the service, including online reflective spaces and webinars plus signposting to free offers of therapy and support.