A GP’s guide to wellbeing and pastoral care

Drawing on his own personal experience and professional insight, Dr Alex Lai brings together practical resources to help GPs who may be facing wellbeing or pastoral issues seek support

With our current workforce facing job uncertainty, high rates of burnout and a whirlwind of changes to the ways of working, support for GP trainees, newly-qualified GPs and those considering the next stage of their career is more crucial than ever.

I’m a GP in north east London, the co-founder of The WorkWell Doctors and also a coach for doctors returning to work after periods of absence or going through challenging transitions in their life.

During my training, I went less than full time after becoming a mental health carer for my partner. I know first-hand the mistakes of not seeking support early, the pressures of managing uncertainty and the challenges of balancing a carer role both at work and at home.

After my partner’s initial health crisis, I eventually leaned into support from my circle of friends, family and wider GP communities. I cannot emphasise how vital it has been for me to foster those relationships over the last decade so that I never feel alone whilst working in general practice.

Through my wellbeing journey I utilised staff counselling at my hospital trust, accessed support through Practitioner Health and received help from my own GP and training programme directors. Later on, during the pandemic, I also benefitted from coaching, had free therapy with Frontline19 and built a network of supportive friends through my roles with the Royal College of General Practitioners and as an ambassador for You Okay, Doc?

If you take away one thing from this article, it is that there is no shame in seeking support and there is no need to wait until your breaking point or burnout to speak up or ask for help.

Working in general practice is a marathon; even if our training is shorter than others. If we want to thrive in the profession’s variability, challenges and uncertainty, I believe we need our communities, as well as a host of other protective factors and resources in our toolbox, to ground us, provide stability and help us grow throughout our career.

Below is a list of support services I have collated over the years that may be of benefit; whether you’re currently struggling, feeling stable, or seeking to grow – or have noticed a colleague who may need help.

They have been sorted into loose categories depending on which area you want to address – general wellbeing, mental health, addiction, financial difficulties, navigating complaints or investigations, or developing your career.

Pastoral, mental health and wellbeing resources

• Staff mental health and wellbeing hubs
  • These hubs 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. They are funded by NHS England.
• BMA counselling and peer support services
  • Free and confidential 24/7 counselling line and peer support service open to all doctors and medical students.
  • BMA members, plus their partners and dependents (aged 16-24 in full-time education), can also access a free structured course of up to six sessions of therapy with a counsellor. 
  • Contactable by phone (0330 123 1245).
• Practitioner Health (England)
  • Free and confidential NHS mental health & addiction service for doctors, dentists and trainees.
  • Self-refer (psychology/psychiatry/therapy).
  • Contactable by phone (0300 0303 300).
• National Wellbeing Hub (Scotland)
  • Evidence-based resources, helplines and routes into support for all health & social care staff.
• Inspire Wellbeing/HSC Staff Helpline (Northern Ireland)
  • Emotional support for health & social care staff in Northern Ireland.
• HSC staff health and wellbeing (Northern Ireland)
  • Psychological helplines for health and social care staff in Northern Ireland.
• Canopi (Wales)
  • Free and confidential mental health support service for social and health care staff in Wales.
• Frontline 19
  • Free and confidential psychological support for frontline staff.
• You Okay, Doc?
  • A registered charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare professionals.
• Doctors in Distress
  • A charity which aims to protect mental health and prevent suicide in healthcare workers. They run facilitated peer-support groups as well as other workshops.
• Doctors’ Support Network (DSN)
  • Confidential peer group for doctors with mental health concerns.
• DocHealth
  • Confidential psychotherapeutic consultation service for doctors. Fees based on your grade and circumstances.
• The Louise Tebboth Foundation
  • Supporting the mental wellbeing of medical practitioners and doctors’ families bereaved by suicide.

Support for doctors under investigation or facing FTP procedures

• Second victim support
  • Guidance to help with the impact of patient safety incidents.
• GMC investigation support – Doctor support service
  • Confidential, emotional support for doctors going through fitness to practise procedures with the GMC, or at risk of having their licence withdrawn
• Doctors’ Support Group
  • A support group for any medical professional facing suspension, exclusion, investigation of complaints, or allegations of professional misconduct.
• NHS Practitioner Health also has guides and resources for doctors facing complaint.

Support for doctors struggling with drug or alcohol addiction

• British Doctors and Dentists Group
  • A service for recovering alcoholic and drug-dependent doctors, dentists, and students.
• Sick Doctors Trust
  • Support and help for doctors, dentists, and medical students who are concerned about their use of alcohol and other drugs.

Support for doctors with a disability

• Disabled Doctors Network
  • A support network and website aimed at chronically ill/disabled doctors, medical students, their colleagues, educators, trainers and anyone else requiring information or support regarding inclusion in the medical professions.
• Doctors and dentists with disabilities
  • Factsheets and resources from Practitioner Health devoted to health and wellbeing of disabled doctors.

Financial help

• The Cameron Fund
  • A charity that offers support to (solely) GPs and their families in times of financial need, whether through ill-health, disability, bereavement, relationship breakdown or loss of employment.
• Royal Medical Benevolent Fund (RMBF)
  • A charity that supports doctors and families in times of financial hardship, with help ranging from grants to a telephone befriending scheme for those who may be isolated and in need of support.
• The Royal Medical Foundation
  • A charity offering practical assistance to doctors and families facing financial difficulty

Professional life, career progression and mentoring

• The Balint Society
  • Groups help health professionals gain a better understanding of the emotional content of their relationship with patients.
• GP-S (regional coaching for GPs)
  • Free, confidential one-to-one coaching/mentoring for GPs in participating areas (Midlands & East, Nottinghamshire, Grampian etc.)
  • Check your ICB/Training Hub for local access.
• General Practice Fellowship programme (NHS England)
  • A two-year programme of support, available to all newly-qualified GPs (and GPNs) with an explicit focus on working within and across PCNs and ICBs.
  • Protected CPD time, education, mentorship/coaching, plus portfolio opportunities.
  • Contact your ICB Training Hubs for more details.
• National GP Retention Scheme
  • Financial and educational support to help doctors, who might otherwise leave the profession, remain in clinical general practice.
• The Professional Support & Wellbeing Service
  • Services include enhanced exam support, wellbeing services, personal coaching and mentoring to address career and performance improvement needs, and workshops and information designed to support career choices.
• RCGP Mentoring
  • RCGP Mentoring allows members to support one another in their career growth and development. The platform matches mentees with mentors possessing their desired areas of interest.
• Other RCGP networks for doctors at different stages of their careers:
  • RCGP First5 Programme
    • For GPs within five years post-qualification. Includes discounted membership, networking events, local CPD, peer support and mentoring to build practice and career.
  • RCGP Established GP Network
    • For those working in clinical practice for over five years
  • RCGP Later Career and Retired Members Group
    • For GPs nearing the end of their career
• Support for NHS leaders
  • Coaching and mentoring for NHS leaders.
• Local Medical Committees
  • Your LMCs offer one-to-one, confidential advice, counselling, task support, and signposting.
  • This will vary based on region but can include a host of services to support with return to work or issues at work.

Dr Alex Lai is a salaried GP in north east London, mental health advocate and career coach. He is also the co-founder of The Workwell Doctors, ambassador for You Okay, Doc?, and RCGP North East London Faculty Established GP Lead. You can follow him on Instagram @dralexlai.