Doctors In Distress host an event at Number 11 Downing Street

I founded the charity Doctors in Distress more than five years ago, with the hope of bringing a spotlight to a taboo topic of adverse mental health in the medical and healthcare workforce.

My brother, a consultant cardiologist took his own life in November 2018, and I vividly recall, when I was staring at his body lying in a coffin, I saw a doctor in distress. Soon after the funeral I realised that the systems he worked so hard for, failed him.

I want to talk to as many people and parties that are involved in the governance of our healthcare systems, and senior leaders within the medical professions to understand why healthcare workers are generally at a higher risk of adverse mental health and suicide than the rest of the UK population. Why was this was swept under the carpet and not talked about? The NHS Workforce Survey of 2022 showed that 34% staff are burned out by work and 37.4% are “emotionally exhausted”. Estimates suggest that 1 doctor takes their own life every 3 weeks and 1 nurse takes their own life every week, likely to be higher in actuality. This is a problem that needs solving.

We were invited by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to host an event at Number 11 Downing Street to help us raise awareness of our mission to protect the mental health of doctors and healthcare workers. I had the opportunity of telling my brother’s story to the people and institutions who are empowered and able to prevent further tragedies like my brother’s from reoccurring. As I talked about my family’s experience, the mood in the room was sombre. However, I felt a genuine appetite to engage from everyone who attended, which included representatives from Integrated Care Boards, NHS leadership from Primary and Secondary Care, Medical Colleges and other stakeholders. We were able to develop partnerships with these key people who can help make a difference.

As the founder of this charity, with an amazing team of trustees, ambassadors, supporters and dedicated staff, I cannot begin to convey how pleased I am that finally, the topic at hand is now being talked about honestly and acknowledged at the highest possible levels.

I am absolutely confident that several years ago this topic would never be discussed so openly, and that the concept that the NHS can be an unhealthy place to work would not be even considered nor recognised. Before a problem can be tackled, it first has to be acknowledged and talked about as only then can meaningful solutions take shape. This has happened and I feel as though finally, my brother’s and others voices are being heard with a new drive to improve support for staff with a preventative focus at the core.

This special event and the engagement we have from senior figures demonstrates that Doctors in Distress is having impact and progress is being made. I accept that we can never have a perfect health system, but we can do better in this space. It means so much to me that my brother’s death was not in vain and occasions like these will help prevent further tragedies occurring.

Progress is being made, and there is much more to do. Please think about how you would like to support us, whether that is by promoting our work or providing us with resources to allow us to continue to protect the mental health of healthcare workers.

Amandip Sidhu, Doctors in Distress founder

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