Oral Answers to Questions

Jane Stevenson Excerpts

Tuesday 23rd June 2020 Commons Chamber

[Cherilyn Mackrory (Truro and Falmouth) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to support the mental health of NHS workers during the covid-19 outbreak.

[Jane Stevenson (Wolverhampton North East) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to support the mental health of NHS workers during the covid-19 outbreak.

[Sir Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire) (Con)]

What steps his Department is taking to support the mental health of NHS workers during the covid-19 outbreak.

--- Later in debate ---

[Helen Whately]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right: we anticipate an increase in demand for mental health support, including in rural communities, as a result of the pandemic. We are working with the NHS and a wide range of stakeholders to understand the need for mental health support all over the country and to make sure that that support is in place.

[Jane Stevenson]

In my regular meetings with the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, the issue of staff mental health has been repeatedly raised as a serious concern, especially among staff who are working with covid patients. Will the Minister join me in thanking those staff at New Cross Hospital and reassuring them that mental health support will be available for all staff who need it?

[Helen Whately]

I would be delighted to join my hon. Friend in thanking the staff at New Cross Hospital for all that they have been doing in these incredibly difficult times. Mental health support absolutely should be, and is, there. There is the mental health support helpline and the text messaging service. It is also really important that NHS trusts take steps locally to ensure that their staff have the support that they need.