National Memorial Tree Campaign
Statistics show that in the UK one doctor takes their own life every 3 weeks and one nurse takes their own life every week.
These shocking figures are a stark reminder that the wellbeing of our healthcare workers is paramount.
Doctors in Distress and our patron, BAFTA winner and former NHS doctor Adam Kay, have launched a National Memorial Tree Campaign to remember those who have taken their own lives.
We would like every hospital trust in the country to plant a tree on their grounds to honour the lives of these healthcare workers. The memorial tree would also be a symbol of the hospital’s commitment to protect the mental health and wellbeing of their staff. We welcome primary care settings to plant a Memorial tree as well. All healthcare professionals who have taken their own lives deserve to be valued and remembered.
If you would like to plant a tree, fill out the contact form here. For Frequently Asked Questions about our tree campaign, click here.
Adam’s Story…
The first National Memorial Tree planting came from an idea from former NHS doctor and bestselling author of This is Going to Hurt, Adam Kay.
Adam’s book was made into a highly successful BBC drama, much of which was filmed at Ealing Hospital. There is a scene near the end where junior doctor, Shruti, takes her life and a memorial tree is planted in the hospital grounds. After the show aired, many people searched unsuccessfully for the fictional tree, so Adam advocated for a real-life memorial to honour healthcare workers who have died by suicide.
His vision is that every NHS Hospital Trust in the UK should commit to planting a tree, which honours the memory of their colleagues who felt so alone that suicide seemed to be their only option.
“The first step in solving a problem must be in admitting that the problem exists, and this is something I tried to highlight in the BBC adaptation of my book, This is Going to Hurt. The series culminated in the death by suicide of a doctor called Shruti – a fictional character based on so many tragic stories. In the show, a tree was planted in her memorial, which has led to trees being planted in real-life hospitals to commemorate lost colleagues. I’m very proud to support Doctors in Distress in raising awareness of this vital issue and protecting the mental health of healthcare workers.”
– Adam Kay
Doctors in Distress’ Interim Chief Executive, Susannah Basile said: “We know the pressures that healthcare workers face on a daily basis so it’s imperative that we provide mental wellbeing support, not just for those who are feeling suicidal but right from the beginning of their career from junior team members to the most senior so we can help people process the emotional impact of their work.
Healthcare workers are not robots, they are people with emotions and feelings who see really difficult things every day.
We would like every hospital trust in the country to support our National Memorial Tree campaign and plant a tree, which will highlight their commitment to protecting the mental health and wellbeing of their staff.
Together we can help to break down the stigma around mental health and help to prevent further suicides.”
Memorial Trees
Use the interactive map below to see where we have planted memorial trees.
Ealing Hospital, Ealing
The first memorial tree was planted at Ealing Hospital on 4 August 2022, in memory of healthcare professionals who had taken their own lives. This planting was inspired by a scene in the BBC TV series based on Adam Kay’s book ‘This is Going To Hurt’. The ceremony was attended by guests, including Adam Kay, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director of NHS England, Amandip Sidhu, Founder of Doctors in Distress, and Ambika Mod, the actor who played Shruti.
A memorial tree was planted in the gardens of the British Medical Association House in London on World Mental Health Day (10th October) to honour the memory of healthcare professionals across the UK who have died by suicide.
The first ‘no green space’ plaque was unveiled at NHS Practitioner Health’s headquarters in London to mark National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers on 17th September.
Professor Dame Clare Gerada presented a speech and unveiled the wall plaque to a packed room of staff, supporters and Doctors in Distress’ representatives. There was then a minute’s silence to remember all healthcare workers who have died through suicide.
On 11 May 2023, a memorial tree ceremony took place at Kingsway Hospital, with Adam Kay, Mark Powell, Chief Executive at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Arun Chidambaram, the Trust’s Medical Director and Professor Subodh Dave, a Trustee of Doctors in Distress, in attendance.
Dr Arun said: “We planted this tree in recognition of the challenges experienced by healthcare professionals and the importance of good mental health for everyone in society.”
On 25 May 2023, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, GP, former chairman of British Medical Association, and a Trustee of Doctors in Distress, was among those who attended the tree planting ceremony at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.
He said: “We have all experienced the reality of colleagues dying by suicide and this continues far too regularly. I believe that we need to continue to draw attention to the mental health of our medical workforce.
Professor Paul Fish, CEO of RNOH, added: “Only by beginning to acknowledge this problem can we start to address the factors that lead to suicide among our colleagues.”
On 6th July 2023, a memorial tree was planted in the garden of Sandwell General Hospital.
Richard Beeken, CEO of Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust, Adam Kay, and Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer of the Black Country ICS and a Trustee at Doctors in Distress, attended the ceremony. They were joined by the family of Vaish Kumar, a talented register who died by suicide. Vaish’s father Dr Ravi Kuma and her past mentor, Dr Sarb Clare, both spoke of the vital importance of a supportive, caring workplace.
The Aspen Medical Practice in Gloucester became the first GP Practice in the country to join our National Memorial Tree Campaign.
Staff took time out of their lunch break to remember those healthcare workers who have died by suicide by planting a Morello cherry tree.
A memorial tree was planted at the Secret Garden within the grounds of the Glenfield Hospital in Leicester on the inaugural National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers this year.
Chairman of West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Phil Townsend, CEO Matthew Coats and Chief Nurse Kelly McGovern, joined Doctors in Distress CEO Ann Paul, founder Amandip Sidhu for the tree planting ceremony at Watford Hospital on 11 December.
Also in attendance was Adam Kay, who said that the reality of suicides among healthcare workers is often silenced by the stigma, shame and taboo that entrenches the culture within the health sector.
Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford
On 1st March 2024, a memorial tree was planted at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in memory of healthcare workers who have taken their own lives.
This is the first memorial tree to be planted in Yorkshire as part of our National Memorial Tree campaign, in partnership with Doctors in Distress patron, BAFTA award winning writer and former doctor Adam Kay.
Gartnavel Royal Hospital in Glasgow
On 4rd April, the first memorial tree was planted in Scotland at the Gartnavel Royal Hospital in Glasgow.
Doctors in Distress Patron, and BAFTA award-winning writer and former doctor, Adam Kay, attended the ceremony and spoke poignantly about the importance of honouring the lives of healthcare workers by planting memorial trees.
The Ker Practice in Glasgow became the first GP Practice in Scotland to get a memorial tree for healthcare workers who have died by suicide.
Our Head of Fundraising Sarah Jones attended the ceremony on 18 November, which was attended by representatives of the practice.
Staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead gathered on World Mental Health Day (10th October) to join a memorial tree planting ceremony.
Andreas Hinsche, an Orthopaedic surgeon at the hospital, helped organise the memorial tree in memory of colleagues who have died by suicide. They chose a Japanese Weeping Cherry Tree, which is due to flower in the Spring.
Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Surrey:
A memorial tree was planted at St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey on 17th April 2024. Doctors in Distress’ Founder, Amandip Sidhu, CEO Ann Paul, and Ambassador Brian Daniels joined the ceremony along with several members of the executive and senior leadership team from Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
“When you hear the statistics that a doctor in the NHS dies by suicide every three weeks and a nurse in the NHS dies by suicide every week, this really brings home what our clinical colleagues are feeling day-in, day-out.”
These are the words of Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer of UHCW NHS Trust, who gave a touching speech about health workers’ mental health, at the tree planting ceremony at University Hospital in Coventry on 2nd December.
Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust is the first in the North West to commit to plant trees on all of their hospital sites as part of the National Memorial Tree Campaign. Over the next few months three more trees will be planted at Fairfield General, Royal Oldham, and Salford Royal hospitals.
The fourth memorial tree within the Northern Alliance Trust was planted at the Salford Royal on National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers (17th September).
The Northern Care Alliance Trust committed to plant a tree at each of their four sites in memory of healthcare workers who have taken their own lives as part of our National Memorial Tree campaign.
A memorial tree was planted at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust to mark National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers on 17th September.
The annual memorial day was organised by Doctors in Distress and NHS Practitioner Health to remember all healthcare workers who have died by suicide.
Wythenshaw Hospital, Manchester:
Guests gathered at Wythenshaw Hospital on 22 April to hold a special ceremony to plant the memorial tree.
Doctors in Distress founder Amandip Sidhu attended the event and said a few words about the importance of our National Memorial Tree campaign as a way of honouring those healthcare workers who have died by suicide.
The first memorial tree in East Anglia was planted at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn on 16 April.
Interim CEO at Doctors in Distress, Susannah Basile, joined senior leaders and staff for the ceremony.
Alice Webster, CEO at The QEH said; “By joining the Doctors in Distress’ National Memorial Tree campaign and planting a tree in our grounds, we are promoting a duty of care for the mental health of our staff and remembering those who have lost their lives to suicide. The tree we have selected is an Acer Campestre which is commonly known as a field maple. It represents strength and protection and is viewed as a symbol of serenity and tranquillity.”
The sun shone as a memorial tree in memory of healthcare workers who have died by suicide was planted at Harefield Hospital, Uxbridge, on 17 June 2024.
A moving poem was read by a wellbeing chaplain to mark the planting of a tree at Fairfield General Hospital, Bury, on 25th June 2024. The Northern Care Alliance Trust has committed to plant a tree at each of their four sites in memory of healthcare workers who have taken their own lives as part of our National Memorial Tree campaign, in partnership with our Patron, BAFTA award winning writer and former doctor Adam Kay. This was the second tree planting at the Trust, with two more planned soon.
The third tree supported by the Northen Care Alliance Trust was planted at the Royal Oldham Hospital on 23 July 2024. The Northern Care Alliance Trust committed to plant a tree at each of their four sites in memory of healthcare workers who have taken their own lives as part of our campaign, in partnership with our Patron, BAFTA award winning writer and former doctor Adam Kay.
Wythenshaw Hospital, Manchester::
Guests gathered at Wythenshaw Hospital on 22 April to hold a special ceremony to plant the memorial tree.
Doctors in Distress founder Amandip Sidhu attended the event and said a few words about the importance of our National Memorial Tree campaign as a way of honouring those healthcare workers who have died by suicide.
The Queen Elizabeth King’s Lynn:
The first memorial tree in East Anglia was planted at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn on 16 April.
Interim CEO at Doctors in Distress, Susannah Basile, joined senior leaders and staff for the ceremony.
Alice Webster, CEO at The QEH said; “By joining the Doctors in Distress’ National Memorial Tree campaign and planting a tree in our grounds, we are promoting a duty of care for the mental health of our staff and remembering those who have lost their lives to suicide. The tree we have selected is an Acer Campestre which is commonly known as a field maple. It represents strength and protection and is viewed as a symbol of serenity and tranquillity.”
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry:
“When you hear the statistics that a doctor in the NHS dies by suicide every three weeks and a nurse in the NHS dies by suicide every week, this really brings home what our clinical colleagues are feeling day-in, day-out.”
These are the words of Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer of UHCW NHS Trust, who gave a touching speech about health workers’ mental health, at the tree planting ceremony at University Hospital in Coventry on 2nd December.
Susannah Basile, Interim CEO of Doctors in Distress, joined around 20 senior leaders and staff for the planting of the red maple tree, which is located outside the Clinical Sciences Building, where future doctors are trained.
She added: “What you are doing here, and what is so important to do as an organisation, is to show people that it is OK to be human.”
The Ker Practice, Glasgow:
The Ker Practice in Glasgow became the first GP Practice in Scotland to get a memorial tree for healthcare workers who have died by suicide.
Our Head of Fundraising Sarah Jones attended the ceremony on 18 November, which was attended by representatives of the practice.
This is the 20th memorial tree to be planted since our National Memorial Tree Campaign launched, in association with our Patron Adam Kay.
Dr Ruth Lannigan, GP Partner at Ker Practice, said “The tree planting honours those who have taken their own lives and is a symbol of the commitment of the Practice to protect the mental health and wellbeing of our team.”
The British Medical Association House, London:
A memorial tree was planted in the gardens of the British Medical Association House in London on World Mental Health Day (10th October) to honour the memory of healthcare professionals across the UK who have died by suicide.
The memorial tree is accompanied by a plaque and represents the Association’s commitment to continue advocating for change for those medical students, doctors and healthcare professionals that currently suffer in silence.
Speeches were given by members of the BMA Council and Doctors in Distress’ Trustee Dr Jonathan Osborn.
BMA chair of council, Professor Phil Banfield, said: “The BMA is proud to support this important initiative. Planting a tree is a powerful symbol—a living tribute to the lives that were cut short and a reminder to every healthcare worker that their well-being really matters.
“We continue to campaign for better mental health support for all those working in healthcare, alongside steps to tackle the root causes of it, including inadequate working conditions and pressures created by understaffing.”
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead:
Staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead gathered on World Mental Health Day (10th October) to join a memorial tree planting ceremony.
Andreas Hinsche, an Orthopaedic surgeon at the hospital, helped organise the memorial tree in memory of colleagues who have died by suicide. They chose a Japanese Weeping Cherry Tree, which is due to flower in the Spring.
There were various speeches, including one from Doctors in Distress’ head of fundraising Sarah Jones who spoke about how the tree represented new hope and growth to come.
Glenfield Hospital, Leicester:
A memorial tree was planted at the Secret Garden within the grounds of the Glenfield Hospital in Leicester on the inaugural National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers this year.
The ceremony on 17th September was attended by representative from Leicester’s hospitals and the Asian Professionals National Alliance, Doctors in Distress CEO Ann Paul and NHS Practitioner Health’s medical director Helen Garr. Staff from across all the sites were invited to gather to witness the planting of the silver birch tree and to join in a moment of reflection.
Andrew Furlong, Medical Director at Leicester’s Hospitals, said: “We are honoured to work with Doctors in Distress to plant this tree, in memory of the healthcare professionals who have been so sadly lost and as an enduring symbol of our commitment to providing mental health and wellbeing support.”
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester:
A memorial tree was planted at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust to mark National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers on 17th September.
The annual memorial day was organised by Doctors in Distress and NHS Practitioner Health to remember all healthcare workers who have died by suicide.
Staff gathered at Withington the site to watch the tree planting and a small ceremony with speeches was held to mark the occasion.
The tree will be surrounded by benches where both staff – as well as patients and visitors – can sit in contemplation.
Christie staff were joined by a charity that provides mental health support to healthcare staff, at a memorial tree planting at our site.
Dr Neil Bayman, Executive Medical Director, Andrew Bradley, Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Co-ordinator, and Doctors in Distress’ head of fundraising Sarah Jones all spoke at the event.
Dr Bayman said: “Making sure that the support is there when people need it is vital, but it’s also important that we all talk openly about our own mental health and that we check in with those around us regularly.”
Salford Royal, Salford:
The fourth memorial tree within the Northern Alliance Trust was planted at the Salford Royal on National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers (17th September).
The Northern Care Alliance Trust committed to plant a tree at each of their four sites in memory of healthcare workers who have taken their own lives as part of our National Memorial Tree campaign. Ceremonies were held at each of the four sites on the national memorial day for staff to take time and reflect.
Doctors in Distress’ head of fundraising Sarah Jones and Ambassador Brian Daniels joined the event.
Aspen Medical Practice, Gloucester:
The Aspen Medical Practice in Gloucester became the first GP Practice in the country to join our National Memorial Tree Campaign.
Staff took time out of their lunch break to remember those healthcare workers who have died by suicide by planting a Morello cherry tree.
They held the ceremony on National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers (17th September).
Mungo Morris – a Salaried GP at the practice who lost his sister-in-law and fellow doctor to suicide – gave a short speech emphasising the importance of looking out for one another and being gentle with yourself.
Staff then attached notes to the tree with messages they would like to leave for people they had lost. It is hoped that with the addition of a small bench this will become a place for quiet reflection in the future.
NHS Practitioner Health, London:
The first ‘no green space’ plaque was unveiled at NHS Practitioner Health’s headquarters in London to mark National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers on 17th September.
Professor Dame Clare Gerada presented a speech and unveiled the wall plaque to a packed room of staff, supporters and Doctors in Distress’ representatives. There was then a minute’s silence to remember all healthcare workers who have died through suicide.
Our charity and NHS Practitioner Health organised the memorial day so that there would be an annual date dedicated to healthcare workers who have taken their own lives.
The Royal Oldham Hospital, Oldham:
The third tree supported by the Northern Care Alliance Trust was planted at the Royal Oldham Hospital on 23 July 2024.
The Northern Care Alliance Trust committed to plant a tree at each of their four sites in memory of healthcare workers who have taken their own lives as part of our campaign, in partnership with our Patron, BAFTA award winning writer and former doctor Adam Kay. Trees have already been planted at Rochdale Infirmary and Fairfield General hospital.
Our Trustee Dr Ananta Dave and our CEO Ann Paul joined staff at Oldham to mark the tree planting at a poignant ceremony.
Fairfield Hospital, Bury:
A moving poem was read by a wellbeing chaplain to mark the planting of a tree at Fairfield General Hospital, Bury, on 25th June 2024.
The Northern Care Alliance Trust has committed to plant a tree at each of their four sites in memory of healthcare workers who have taken their own lives as part of our National Memorial Tree campaign, in partnership with our Patron, BAFTA award winning writer and former doctor Adam Kay. This was the second tree planting at the Trust, with two more planned soon.
Osman Dar, a wellbeing chaplain at Northern Care Alliance, read a touching piece at the ceremony. He said: “If you feel like you are losing everything, remember trees lose their leaves every year and they still stand tall and wait for better days to come.”
To read the whole piece, click here.
Harefield Hospital, Uxbridge:
The sun shone as a memorial tree in memory of healthcare workers who have died by suicide was planted at Harefield Hospital, Uxbridge, on 17 June 2024.
Adam Rowland, a trainee advanced critical care practitioner who has worked at Harefield Hospital since qualifying as a nurse in 2010, saw Adam Kay’s show Undoctored and was struck by the sobering statistics around the number of suicides in the NHS. He has been impacted by suicide and wanted to get involved in our National Memorial Tree campaign, which seeks to have trees planted at every hospital and primary care setting in the country.
Adam said: “I have personally experienced the impact of suicide, both personally and with colleagues. This project also felt special to me as well as my son was in the TV show ‘This is Going to Hurt’; he was the baby in the final scene, being born in the back of the car.
I have had wonderful support from my hospital in delivering this project and hope to continue the wellbeing and support of staff in a great hospital.”
Our CEO Ann Paul and founder Amandip Sidhu attended the moving ceremony, which took place by a lake near the hospital grounds.
Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Surrey:
A memorial tree was planted at St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey on 17th April 2024. Doctors in Distress’ Founder, Amandip Sidhu, CEO Ann Paul, and Ambassador Brian Daniels joined the ceremony along with several members of the executive and senior leadership team from Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Dr David Fluck, Medical Director at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals, said: “The health and wellbeing of our team is of utmost importance and this tree signifies our duty of care for the mental health of our staff and remembering those who have lost their lives.
“We would like to thank Doctors in Distress for reaching out to the Trust and allowing us to be a part of this very important national campaign.”
Rochdale Infirmary, Rochdale:
The first of four memorial trees in memory of healthcare workers who have taken their own lives was planted at Rochdale Infirmary on 16th May.
Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust is the first in the North West to commit to plant trees on all of their hospital sites as part of the National Memorial Tree Campaign.
Over the next few months three more trees will be planted at Fairfield General, Royal Oldham, and Salford Royal hospitals.
Jess Pollard, Community Fundraising Manager for NorthCare Charity, the official charity of Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, said “This campaign highlights the importance of supporting the mental wellbeing of our staff, which is one of our key fundraising priorities.
Planting these trees is a visual symbol of our commitment to care for our staff so that they can provide the best care for our patients.”
Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow:
On 4th April, the first memorial tree was planted in Scotland at the Gartnavel Royal Hospital in Glasgow.
Doctors in Distress Patron, and BAFTA award-winning writer and former doctor, Adam Kay, attended the ceremony and spoke poignantly about the importance of honouring the lives of healthcare workers by planting memorial trees.
Other attendees included Ann Paul, CEO of Doctors in Distress, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board Non-Executive Director Michelle Wailes and Growing Spaces Garden Project volunteer Paul Young.
The tree planted was a Rowan tree, which is a Scottish species that symbolises life and protection.
Photos taken by Medical Illustration – Vicki Allison & Morag Warrender.
Bradford Royal Infirmary Hospital, Bradford:
On 1st March 2024, a memorial tree was planted at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in memory of healthcare workers who have taken their own lives.
This is the first memorial tree to be planted in Yorkshire as part of our National Memorial Tree campaign, in partnership with Doctors in Distress patron, BAFTA award winning writer and former doctor Adam Kay.
Doctors in Distress’ Founder, Amandip Sidhu, CEO Ann Paul, and Ambassador Brian Daniels joined the ceremony at the Bradford Royal Infirmary Hospital. The hospital’s Senior Trust Chief Executive, Professor Mel Pickup, and Dr James Thomas, Medical Director at the West Yorkshire ICB, also attended.
Watford Hospital, Watford:
Chairman of West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Phil Townsend, CEO Matthew Coats and Chief Nurse Kelly McGovern, joined Doctors in Distress CEO Ann Paul, founder Amandip Sidhu for the tree planting ceremony at Watford Hospital on 11 December.
Also in attendance was Adam Kay, who said that the reality of suicides among healthcare workers is often silenced by the stigma, shame and taboo that entrenches the culture within the health sector.
Sandwell General Hospital, West Bromwich:
On 6th July 2023, a memorial tree was planted in the garden of Sandwell General Hospital.
Richard Beeken, CEO of Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust, Adam Kay, and Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer of the Black Country ICS and a Trustee at Doctors in Distress, attended the ceremony. They were joined by the family of Vaish Kumar, a talented register who died by suicide. Vaish’s father Dr Ravi Kuma and her past mentor, Dr Sarb Clare, both spoke of the vital importance of a supportive, caring workplace.
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, Middlesex:
On 25 May 2023, Dr Chaand Nagpaul, GP, former chairman of British Medical Association, and a Trustee of Doctors in Distress, was among those who attended the tree planting ceremony at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.
He said: “We have all experienced the reality of colleagues dying by suicide and this continues far too regularly. I believe that we need to continue to draw attention to the mental health of our medical workforce.
Professor Paul Fish, CEO of RNOH, added: “Only by beginning to acknowledge this problem can we start to address the factors that lead to suicide among our colleagues.”
Kingsway Hospital, Derby:
On 11 May 2023, a memorial tree ceremony took place at Kingsway Hospital, with Adam Kay, Mark Powell, Chief Executive at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Arun Chidambaram, the Trust’s Medical Director and Professor Subodh Dave, a Trustee of Doctors in Distress, in attendance.
Dr Arun said: “We planted this tree in recognition of the challenges experienced by healthcare professionals and the importance of good mental health for everyone in society.”
Ealing Hospital, Ealing:
The first memorial tree was planted at Ealing Hospital on 4 August 2022, in memory of healthcare professionals who had taken their own lives. This planting was inspired by a scene in the BBC TV series based on Adam Kay’s book ‘This is Going To Hurt’ and was organised and supported by Ealing Hospital NHS Trust. The ceremony was attended by guests, including Adam Kay, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director of NHS England, Amandip Sidhu, Founder of Doctors in Distress, and Ambika Mod, the actor who played Shruti.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the campaign and why do we plant memorial trees?
Where can memorial trees be planted?
Any green space around an NHS organisation, somewhere peaceful where colleagues may visit is ideal.
Can those working in primary settings also have a memorial tree?
Are these memorial trees only for Trusts who have experienced the death of a healthcare colleague by suicide?
We have had a death by suicide at our trust/hospital- can the individual’s name be on the plaque?
How is the memorial tree funded?
Is there a fee for planting a tree as part of this campaign?
What type of tree is most suitable?
Who organises the plaque for the memorial tree?
Who should attend the tree planting?
Will anyone from Doctors in Distress attend our tree planting?
There will be senior level representatives, from the Doctors In Distress leadership team and the board of Trustees at every tree planting.
Will Doctors in Distress help us publicise our tree planting?
Who looks after the tree once it has been planted?
What happens after event? Will there be any follow up from Doctors in Distress?
I would like to support the campaign; how can I do that?
We would like to be part of The National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers. How do we get involved?
How can I fundraise for Doctors in Distress?
All our programmes are free to healthcare professionals, so we need to raise funds to support this. If you can help head to our Donate page.
What if our organisation does not have any green space to plant a tree?
Still have a question or want to know more? Please contact us via the form below.