A third of medics are suffering from conditions like depression, anxiety, burnout and stress, doctors’ leaders have warned.

Dr Lewis Morrison, chair of BMA Scotland, said support for doctors had to be available for the long-term, with the impact of working through the pandemic “likely to last well into the future”.

A new survey of 374 Scottish doctors found a third are currently suffering some form of mental health condition relating to or made worse by their work.

The BMA Scotland research also revealed most doctors only feel “partly” protected from coronavirus infection in their workplace.

One doctor: “I'm worried for all of my family, friends, colleagues, and patients. The unknowns are getting to me.”

Another commented: “‘Normality’ has to change - the NHS cannot and must not return to how it was. The staff have to be treated as human beings, not inanimate objects.

“The clapping for carers has to become real action to protect and respect the NHS or there will be no staff left - that's the reality.”

Dr Morrison said: “The stresses and worries of working during this pandemic are undoubtably having an impact on doctors. We welcome the numerous steps put in place to provide support by the Scottish Government.

“We need to make sure doctors know what is available, and that they are encouraged to use it.”

When it comes to the ongoing issue of concern around PPE supplies, the survey found nearly two-thirds of doctors said they feel partly protected from the infection, while 22% felt fully protected.

Just over one in ten – 13% –  did not feel “at all protected” – but this was down by nearly 7% compared to the previous week.

Shortages were reported around eye protection and full-face visors in particular.

Seven out of ten GPs said they had sufficient PPE for safe contact with patients, but a quarter said they rarely or never did.

Dr Morrison said: “On PPE it seems that the supply issues have improved – and that the massive effort and focus on this from Government and health boards is making a difference.

“But equally there do remain some concerns. Some doctors do still feel unprotected and equally there do seem to be some issues around particular items, such a face and eye protection.”

Meanwhile BMA Scotland has welcomed a pledge by the Scottish Government to extend death-in-service benefits to NHS staff who are not members of the pension scheme, as well as bank and locum staff.

Alan Robertson, Deputy Chair of the Scottish Consultants Committee, said it was a welcome step forward:

“It is only right that the dependants of all those who are putting themselves at risk on the front line should be entitled to the death in service benefits of the NHS pension scheme.

“This is particularly true for those permanent or fixed-term staff who may be returning to work in the NHS, and those who may have left the scheme for whatever reason.”

 

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