Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the implications for his policies of the findings of the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland’s recent survey of its doctor and dentist members.

The Department is aware of and takes seriously the high levels of stress and anxiety amongst frontline healthcare workers during the current crisis. The NHS People Plan published last July is helping us support National Health Service staff wellbeing through the winter. It included appointing a new wellbeing guardian role to boards of individual trusts and a combined £30 million in enhanced mental and occupational health support. Our analysis shows staff are accessing the package on offer in large numbers, whether through our dedicated app, website, or telephone and text helplines. Feedback has also been positive with satisfaction scores consistently over 90%.