Much more needs to be done to ensure healthcare professionals in Ireland feel able to take time off to access mental wellbeing support when they need it, without stigma, the Medical Protection Society (MPS) said today (14 July).
Speaking at the Surgical Forum of Great Britain and Ireland, held at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dr James Thorpe, a Medicolegal Consultant at MPS, said almost two thirds (64%) of doctors in Ireland are frequently burnt out and exhausted and 1 in 5 (19%) describe their mental wellbeing as “of concern”. Nearly half (46%), however, feel that taking time off for mental wellbeing issues is not acceptable where they work.
Dr Thorpe said the number of doctors who feel it is not acceptable is notably higher in Ireland compared to the UK (27%) and in South Africa (40%) – two other countries where MPS has members – suggesting there is still a significant way to go in addressing the stigma around mental health issues among doctors in Ireland.
He called on the Government to work with the HSE and private providers to ensure healthcare professionals are in supportive environments, and commit to adequate funding for key mental wellbeing services, such as the Practitioner Health Matters Programme.
“We see firsthand how burnout and poor mental wellbeing affects doctors personally, and how it can impact on patient care and medicolegal risk. Without early support, mental wellbeing issues can also result in doctors needing extended time off work or leaving the healthcare profession altogether,” he said.
“It is particularly concerning that nearly half of doctors in Ireland feel that taking time off for mental wellbeing issues is not deemed acceptable where they work. A higher number of members in Ireland tell us they feel this is the case, than in the UK and South Africa.
“One doctor in Ireland told us that they and their colleagues work even when we're not feeling well because of the culture of 'not taking time off sick unless you can't stand' that pervades the medical community.
“Healthcare professionals should feel able and supported to take time off to recuperate or seek support – without stigma – and much more needs to be done to enable this shift.
“The provision of accessible mental wellbeing support resources is key. Those working in both HSE and private healthcare settings should have counselling, peer support networks and specialist support available as standard. This would help to tackle issues early on and enable doctors to continue to care for patients safely.
“Independent mental wellbeing services, such as the Practitioner Health Matters Programme, also provide a lifeline for many who are struggling to cope, but they often rely on donations. We believe the Government should help to ensure they are properly funded and safeguarded, so healthcare professionals are always able to access confidential, specialist help outside of their place of work, without fear of repercussions from their employers.
“We would like to remind members that they have access to a counselling service as part of their membership for work-related issues such as stress, burnout, anxiety and conflict. Members can access telephone support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and face-to-face counselling sessions can also be arranged. The service is completely confidential and independent of MPS,” he added.
MPS represents the interests of over 300,000 healthcare professionals worldwide including over 16,000 in Ireland.
ENDS
MPS counselling support service:
Confidential counselling sessions and wellbeing resources are included as one of the benefits of MPS membership at no additional cost. To access the confidential counselling see www.medicalprotection.org/ireland/wellbeing
For further information about this press release contact: [email protected]
548 MPS members participated in the survey referenced by Dr James Thorpe, which took place in November 2024.
Key findings:
- 19% of the doctors who responded said their mental wellbeing was of concern.
- 53% said they feel disillusioned/disengaged at work.
- 64% said they feel frequently exhausted or burnt out.
- 60% said the Government does not do enough to ensure mental health services for doctors are properly funded.
- 57% said they are not encouraged to discuss mental wellbeing issues at work.
- 63% of respondents said they have gone to work, or continued to work, despite not feeling mentally well enough to do so
- 56% have done so because they felt guilty adding to colleagues’ workloads
- 42% have done so because their patients rely on them
- 31% have done so because of pressure to clear waiting lists
- 44% have done so because of staff/rota shortages
- 46% of respondents said taking time off work for mental wellbeing issues was not considered acceptable at their work