AQW 1890/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 21/06/2022
Answered On Date: 27/06/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health what action he is taking to improve mental well-being among GPs and those working in multi-disciplinary teams in primary care.

Answer:

I am very aware of the hard work and dedication of all those in our health service who provide services day by day often in the face of significant challenges. It is very important that those who care for us also receive appropriate support to aid their own mental wellbeing.

Those working in primary care service delivery can access direct psychological support via occupational health services. These services are provided via the HSC Trusts and can be accessed via self-referral/Departmental (SPPG) referral.

In addition, the individual professions delivering care in general practice settings may access support via their own professional bodies. For example, the BMA provides wellbeing support services which include counselling and peer support services and similarly the BASW provides a Social Work Professional Support Service which offers peer to peer support to talk through issues and develop their career.

Support is also available to GPs through the Northern Ireland General Practitioner Mentoring Scheme which aims to help GPs to address challenges they are facing. All of the mentors in the scheme are GPs with a broad range of experience. Further details of this scheme are available at: https://www.nimdta.gov.uk/general-practice/gp-mentoring/ .

At a longer term strategic level, my Department also continues, subject to available funding, to build upon the reforms that are ongoing to support primary care and general practice. By working to create a wider skills mix profile, we can help to support practitioners in delivering care and also ensure that patients are receiving care from the most appropriate professional.