Support for NHS Staff with Mental Health Problems

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd at 2:19 pm on 5 June 2019.

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Photo of Jack Sargeant Jack Sargeant Labour 2:19, 5 June 2019

Can I think the Minister for that reply? I wanted to raise this issue because we know that mental health-related issues in the NHS are obviously an issue, as they are in all workplaces, and although we have the support networks in place, I'm sure Members will agree with me that we can always do more. Llywydd, sometimes we have to draw on the most tragic circumstances to act. Shocking figures recently revealed online show that more than 300 NHS nurses have committed suicide over the border in England in just seven years. The highest on record was 54 in 2015. Minister, would you agree with me that ensuring we have the right support for NHS staff is very important, not only for patient safety, but also to ensure that we reach our ambitions as outlined in the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Act 2016? Can I also ask the Government to redouble its efforts to support our heroic NHS staff here in Wales who every day look out for others, so it's only right that we all look after them?