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Royal College of Psychiatrists21 Prescot StreetLondon E1 8BB
Tel: 020 7235 2351www.rcpsych.ac.uk
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Glossary
BDDG British Doctors’ and Dentists’ Group
BIDA British International Doctors’ Association
BMA British Medical Association
CQC Care Quality Commission
DSN Doctors’ Support Network
GMC General Medical Council
HCSA Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association
MDDUS Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland
MDU Medical Defence Union
MPS Medical Protection Society
NCAS National Clinical Assessment Service
NHS National Health Service
PHP Practitioner Health Programme
PSS Psychiatrists’ Support Service
TUC Trade Union Congress
The Royal College of Psychiatrists’ services
Psychiatrists’ Support Service (PSS)
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is committed to assisting its members who find themselves in difficult situations that may include: � addictions � bullying and harassment � training-related issues � examinations � health � serious clinical incidents � internal and external reviews � inquiries � whistle-blowing � questions about career pathway � GMC/NCAS involvement � exclusion.
PSS is a free and confidential support and advice helpline for members, trainee members and associates of the College. It aims to help doctors through whatever situation is causing them particular difficulties.Initially, the Service Manager will provide some general advice. Depending on the issue or concern, the doctor may be signposted to another appropriate organisation or service that could provide the necessary support. Alternatively, if the issue is complex, the doctor may be referred to a College member
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who can provide focused support and advice through the period of difficulty.This resource booklet gives information on organisations and services that provide support to doctors and their families.
Address: Psychiatrists’ Support Service, Royal College of Psychiatrists, 21 Prescot Street, London E1 8BBTel: 020 7245 0412Website: www.rcpsych.ac.uk/pssEmail: [email protected]
Coaching and mentoring
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has a coaching and mentoring team, whose main role is to promote coaching and mentoring throughout the profession. Currently there is no central College mentoring scheme as the emphasis is for mentoring to be developed through individual College divisions, NHS trusts and independent-sector organisations. We can provide advice and respond to queries from members about coaching and mentoring. Guidance has been developed on how to set up mentoring schemes, find a coach, and on coaching and mentoring training. In addition, each division has its own mentoring lead who is able to provide advice on local arrangements.
Tel: 0207 245 0412 Website: www.rcpsych.ac.uk/workinpsychiatry/mentoringandcoaching.aspx
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Services provided by external organisations
BMA Charities
BMA Charities comprises the BMA Charities Trust Fund and the Dain Fund. The first makes grants to other doctors’ charities as well as one-off, short-term awards to doctors and their families and medical students in financial need, irrespective of whether they are BMA members. The Dain Fund helps with the educational expenses and support of doctors’ children in situations resulting from unforeseen family financial crises.BMA Charities welcomes all funding enquiries and can often make alternative suggestions when unable to help directly.
Address: BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JPTel: 020 7383 6142Email: [email protected]
BMA Counselling and Doctor Advisor Service
BMA Counselling and the Doctor Advisor Service provide a confidential setting where doctors in difficulty can discuss problems, receive support and be signposted to appropriate help if necessary. Doctors and medical students can choose to speak to a trained counsellor or a doctor advisor. BMA Counselling is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and offers doctors the opportunity to speak with counsellors fully certified by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Alternatively, doctor advisors provide peer support, working with doctors to gain insight into their problems and helping them to move on by adopting a holistic approach to their situation. A wide range of problems are dealt with
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including drug and alcohol problems, bullying, mental health issues and GMC referrals.
Address: BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JPTel: 08459 200169, 01455 254189 (24-hour helpline)Website: www.bma.org.uk/doctorsfordoctors Email: [email protected]
British Doctors’ and Dentists’ Group (BDDG)
BDDG is a mutual support group for doctors and dentists who are recovering, or wish to recover, from addiction to or dependency on alcohol or other drugs. It is a self-funding, non-profit organisation with 16 active groups around the UK, most of which meet once a month. BDDG is able to advise on matters related to GMC investigations and return to employment after a period of suspension.
Website: www.bddg.org
British International Doctors’ Association (BIDA)
BIDA (formerly the Overseas Doctors’ Association) was founded more than 30 years ago with the aims of supporting and protecting the interests of international doctors and dentists working in the UK and promoting transcultural healthcare. Through its Welfare, Information and Advisory Service, BIDA offers support and guidance to doctors. Its many active local divisions encourage local networking and peer support for its members.
Address: 316A Buxton Road, Great Moor, Stockport SK2 7DDTel: 0161 456 7828Website: www.bidaonline.co.ukEmail: [email protected]
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Doctor’s Support Group
Twenty years ago, the Society of Clinical Psychiatrists set up a study group to look at the problems of wrongly suspended hospital doctors and the associated psychiatric stresses. The group established that there were widespread problems such as depression, suicide and stress-induced myocardial infarctions. This led to the creation of the Suspended Doctors Group, now the Doctor’s Support Group, a self-help group where the doctors exchange experiences and advice. The group meets regularly at premises outside of the NHS. Total confidentiality is guaranteed. There are no charges. The Group campaigns for improvements to the disciplinary process.
Website: www.doctorssupportgroup.com
General Medical Council (GMC)
When a doctor is referred to the GMC it can be one of the most stressful and painful times of their lives and, for many, can lead to long periods of anxiety and depression. The GMC are mindful of this and, while their primary responsibility is the protection of patients, they are also aware that doctors need to be supported as the GMC process unfolds.The GMC website is the first step in this support, providing timely information for doctors who may for health reasons be involved in the GMC’s fitness to practise procedures.
Website: www.gmc-uk.org/concerns/doctors_health_concerns.asp
National Clinical Assessment Service (NCAS)
NCAS helps improve patient safety by helping to resolve concerns about the professional practice of doctors, dentists and pharmacists. They provide expert advice and support, clinical assessment and training to the NHS and other healthcare partners. NCAS works with all parties to clarify
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the concerns, understand what is leading to them and make recommendations to help the practitioner to deliver a high-quality and safe service. NCAS will respond to calls about any aspect of individual or team practice, even where it is not yet clear whether there is evidence of poor practice. As well as providing advice on long-standing and complex cases, NCAS advises on developing local clinical governance procedures. All NCAS services, with the exception of team reviews, are currently free of charge to NHS organisations.
Core office hours: 9:00–17:00 Monday to Friday (Advice Service in England is available 8:00–18:00). Out of hours, you can request a call from NCAS online (www.ncas.nhs.uk/accessing-case-services/out-of-hours-book-a-call-back/)NCAS England tel: 020 7972 8170NCAS Northern Ireland tel: 028 9266 3241NCAS Wales tel: 029 2044 7540
The Doctor Support Service
The Doctor Support Service delivers confidential support, primarily by telephone, for doctors going through GMC fitness to practise procedures, which can be a very stressful experience. Doctors and medical students who may struggle to cope with those unique pressures are offered emotional support. The service is completely independent of the GMC. If your case ends up at a hearing, you can ask someone from the service to accompany you for up to 2 days of the hearing.
Tel: 020 7383 6707 Website: http://bma.org.uk/practical-support-at-work/doctors-well-being/doctor-support-service Email: [email protected]
The Doctors’ Support Network (DSN)
DSN is a fully confidential, friendly self-help group for doctors with mental health concerns. These concerns may include stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, psychoses and eating disorders. The group believes that contact with and
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support from other doctors can help recovery. All doctors in the group have themselves been troubled at some stage in their lives and are therefore well placed to help those who are beginning the slow process of re-establishing themselves after a breakdown or other mental health crisis.As well as campaigning and raising awareness, the DSN offers support groups, an anonymous email forum, social meetings, a helpline (Doctors’ Support Line) and newsletters.
Address: PO Box 360, Stevenage SG1 9ASDoctors’ Support Line: 0844 395 3010 (Mon & Tue 20:00–23:00, Wed & Thu 20:00–22:00, Sun 16:00–22:00)Website: www.dsn.org.uk Email: [email protected]
Medic Support Programme
This is a confidential service that offers assessment and remediation for medical students and doctors in Wales who are experiencing difficulties in non-clinical aspects of their performance. Access to the service is via a referral (see below). The Medic Support Programme also receives referrals from health boards and trusts across Wales and occasionally from other organisations across the UK.Doctors and medical students may encounter a range of issues that affect their performance, such as issues around their behaviour, spoken or written communication, or passing exams, and for some, health problems or disabilities. The aim of the Medic Support Programme is to provide a holistic approach to supporting doctors and medical students to help them achieve success in their careers.
Undergraduate referral: Medic Support Programme, 53–54 Park Place, Cardiff, Cathays Campus. Tel: 029 20870686/70779, email: [email protected] referral: Professional Support Unit, Wales Deanery, 9th Floor, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Heath Campus. Tel: 029 2068 7411, email: [email protected]: http://medicine.cf.ac.uk/primary-care-public-health/research/medic-support-programme/
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Sick Doctors’ Trust
The Sick Doctors’ Trust is a helpline for doctors who have problems with addictions/alcohol misuse, but will also talk to their spouses, practice partners, patients and the media. It operates along similar lines to AA or the Samaritans, although it does not demand identifiable personal information at the outset and offers total confidentiality. No formal records are kept for confidentiality reasons. Only when necessary for further (agreed) action is identifiable detail recorded or any information given to a third party.
Address: The Belfry, Blackstone, Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9TEHelpline: 0370 444 5163 Website: www.sick-doctors-trust.co.ukEmail: [email protected]
Practitioner Health Programme (PHP)
The PHP is a free, confidential service for doctors and dentists who have mental or physical health concerns and/or addiction problems. Any medical practitioner can use the service if they have a mental health or addiction concern (at any level of severity) and/or a physical health concern (where that concern may have an impact on their performance). The PHP will give advice on accessing local services and provide prompt, confidential treatment, if local services are unable to meet the practitioner’s needs. The service is part of the NHS, but is entirely independent from other organisations.
Address: Riverside Medical Centre, Hobart House, St George’s Wharf, Wandsworth Road, London SW8 2JBTel: 020 3049 4505Website: www.php.nhs.uk
Medical Women’s Federation
The Medical Women’s Federation can provide advice, information, workshops, lectures and social programmes, along
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with grants, prizes and opportunities to present abstracts at national conferences, to women doctors and medical students. They update and inform members of changes affecting the medical profession and women’s health.
Address: Tavistock House North, Tavistock Square, London W1H 9HXTel: 020 7387 7765Website: www.medicalwomensfederation.org.uk Twitter: @medicalwomenukFacebook: www.facebook.com/MedWomen Email: [email protected]
Services provided by postgraduate deaneries
Health Education East Midlands
The Health Education East Midlands (HEEM) careers team offers a variety of careers support and services for foundation and specialty trainees working in its region. These include career workshops focusing on how to go about making informed career decisions, job application and interview practice workshops as well as specific sessions for trainees who are looking to reconsider their career direction. They also offer access to careers e-learning materials and a confidential one-to-one careers support service.
Tel: 0115 823 3367Website: www.eastmidlandsdeanery.nhs.uk Email: [email protected]
Medic Support (Oxford Deanery)
Medic Support is a confidential service for doctors and dentists training with the Oxford Deanery in Oxfordshire, Berkshire
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and Buckinghamshire. The service is flexible, offering a rapid response and a choice of therapeutic treatment (psychotherapy and psychology) in accessible Oxford settings (sessions usually take place either in the Isis Centre, Little Clarendon Street or at Warneford Hospital, but an alternative venue may be offered). Work-related and personal difficulties may cause anxiety, stress, depression and unhappiness. Medic Support provides an opportunity to talk through such concerns in a confidential environment away from work, and has been found to alleviate many of these problems. By arrangement it can also offer similar support to consultant staff and to non-Deanery staff in training. You can refer yourself or you can be referred by a colleague such as an educational supervisor or occupational health physician. If you are unsure whether you want or need their help, get in touch for an informal discussion.
Tel: 01865 556648Email: [email protected], indicating MEDIC SUPPORT in the subject line
MedNet (London Deanery)
MedNet is a Deanery-funded self-referral service for doctors of all grades and specialties living or working within the M25. It is staffed by consultant psychiatrists in psychotherapy and operates from the Tavistock Clinic and the Maudsley Hospital. Doctors find the service useful as an opportunity to reflect on health, personal, emotional, relationship and work-related difficulties in a confidential setting, where the difficulty of being the patient is understood. Doctors are usually seen for up to four assessment sessions, occasionally more, and may also be offered onward referral to appropriate psychotherapeutic help.
Tel: 0208 938 2411Website: www.lpmde.ac.uk/professional-support/mednetEmail: [email protected]
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Take Time (Health Education Yorkshire and the Humber)
Take Time is a confidential counselling service for doctors and dentists in training within the Yorkshire and Humber Postgraduate Deanery. It is funded by the Deanery and provided by a collaboration between the University of Leeds Student Counselling Centre and the Psychological Therapies Service, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The counselling/psychotherapy provided by Take Time is based on two assessment interviews followed by up to five sessions.If you are interested in Take Time and would like to book an appointment or just get some information, please email: [email protected]
Address: Take Time, 19 Clarendon Place, Leeds LS2 9JY
Professional trade unions
British Medical Association (BMA)
The BMA is an independent trade union, recognised by the government as the voice of all doctors in the UK. It has represented doctors in negotiations since the beginning of the NHS in 1948. The BMA is committed to keeping doctors in touch with the profession’s collective views and policies and to being at the forefront of healthcare development.
Address: BMA Head Office, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JPTel: 020 7387 4449Website: http://bma.org.uk
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Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA)
The HCSA is both a professional association and trade union affiliated to the Trade Union Congress (TUC). Its main objective is to meet the needs of its members by responding to members when they need advice on their contract, terms and conditions of service, job plan or any other issue affecting their employment. That advice will lead to formal representation where a member might, for example, be victim or alleged perpetrator of personal misconduct. The HCSA specialises in supporting hospital consultants, specialists and specialist trainees at such times.
Address: 1 Kingsclere Road, Overton, Basingstoke, Hants RG25 3JATel: 01256 771777Website: www.hcsa.comEmail: [email protected]
Financial advice services
Royal Medical Foundation
The Royal Medical Foundation assists GMC-registered doctors and their families who have a proven financial need. Both regular and one-off awards are considered together with assistance with school fees for children of GMC-registered doctors enabling them to maintain educational stability in times of distress. Assistance is mainly considered for those in their public examination years.
Tel: 01372 821010Website: www.royalmedicalfoundation.org Email: [email protected]
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Royal Medical Benevolent Fund
The Royal Medical Benevolent Fund is the leading UK charity for doctors, medical students and their families. It provides financial support, advice and information when it is most needed because of age, ill health, disability or bereavement. Depending on individual needs and circumstances, support can be through the provision of grants, information and debt management advice as well as the Medical Student Programme.
Address: 24 King’s Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 8QN Tel: 020 8540 9194 Website: www.rmbf.orgEmail: [email protected]
StepChange Dept Charity
StepChange Debt Charity helps over 500 000 people a year across the UK to overcome their debt problems and get their lives back on track. They understand the causes and see the consequences of debt, but most importantly they know the way out. They offer a range of free services and solutions to suit every situation and circumstance.Take the first step to a debt-free future – call their free helpline on 0800 138 1111 and speak to a debt advisor or try their debt advice tool, DebtRemedy, online at www.stepchange.org
Opening times: Mon–Fri 8:00–20:00, Sat 8:00–16:00
Medical defence organisations
Medical Defence Union (MDU)
The MDU is a not-for-profit organisation wholly dedicated to its members’ interests. They provide expert guidance, personal
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support and robust defence in addressing medico-legal issues, complaints and claims. They are led and staffed by doctors with real-life experience of the pressures and challenges faced in practice.
Tel: 0800 716 376 (for members), 0800 716 646 (general advice)Website: www.themdu.comEmail: [email protected]
Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS)
MDDUS is an independent medical and dental defence organisation that operates throughout the UK. It is staffed and run by experienced and highly qualified medical and dental professional advisors. It provides advice, help and appropriate representation for doctors who are the subject of complaints, claims and disciplinary processes, including GMC cases.
Address: Mackintosh House, 120 Blythswood Street, Glasgow G2 4EA, and 1 Pemberton Row, London EC4A 3BGTel: 0845 270 2034 (24-hour advice line)Website: www.mddus.comEmail: [email protected]
Medical Protection Society (MPS)
MPS is the world’s leading protection organisation for doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals, with more than 290 000 members around the world. Membership benefits include access to indemnity, expert advice and peace of mind. Highly qualified advisors are on hand to talk through a question or concern at any time and assist with the wide range of legal and ethical problems that arise from professional practice. This includes clinical negligence claims, complaints, medical and dental council inquiries, legal and ethical dilemmas, disciplinary procedures, inquests and fatal accident inquiries.
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Their philosophy is to support safe practice in medicine and dentistry by helping to avert problems in the first place and they do this by promoting risk management through workshops, e-learning, clinical risk assessments, publications, conferences, lectures and presentations.MPS is not an insurance company. All the benefits of membership of MPS are discretionary as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Address: 33 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PSTel: 0800 561 9000Website: www.mps.org.ukEmail: [email protected]
Raising concerns
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
CQC can be contacted if a doctor wants to raise a concern about the health or social care service they work for (whistle-blowing). The information will be dealt with in confidence and concerns can be raised anonymously.Before contacting CQC, you may want to speak to your line manager or a senior member of staff about your concerns and read your employer’s whistle-blowing policy which will give you information on what to do next. If you feel like you can’t talk to someone in your organisation, visit the CQC website to view their quick guide to whistle-blowing or guidance for workers which gives helpful advice on speaking out about poor care and what protection you will have from the law.
Address: Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4PATel: 03000 616161Website: www.cqc.org.uk/content/report-concern-if-you-are-member-staff Email: [email protected]
General Medical Council
All doctors have a duty to act when they believe patients’ safety is at risk or that patients’ care or dignity are being compromised. The GMC website offers advice on guidance, support available, doctors’ responsibilities, raising a concern and the procedure to follow.
Website: www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/ethical_guidance/raising_concerns.asp
Patients First
Patients First is a network of health professionals and their supporters. They work to create an NHS where whistle-blowers are no longer needed – to reduce death and harm in the NHS by campaigning for the UK governments to create policies and laws that will ensure the NHS becomes open and accountable. Patients First can provide moral support for those who raise concerns about patient safety. Their aim is to bring about effective dialogue between different levels of staff within a trust in the interest of patient safety. The service is run by volunteers who try to respond to contacts within 48 hours. They are currently campaigning for a public inquiry into the challenges faced by staff who raise concerns (whistle-blowers) and their website contains some useful guidance on how to raise concerns.
Website: www.patientsfirst.org.uk Email: [email protected]
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Published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this booklet, the publisher is not responsible for any error of omission or fact. Advice and opinions given by the services herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The College cannot take responsibility for the consequences of use of any of the resources derived from this booklet. Users of this booklet must judge the appropriateness of a service provider based on their subsequent contact with service providers.
© The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2014
