DOCTORS in the NHS are suffering worse mental health problems now than they did during the Covid-19 pandemic, a new survey revealed today.

The findings have led to top medics and other experts condemning insufficient government funding for the mental health welfare of NHS staff.

The survey, carried out by the Medical Protection Society (MPS), which provides financial indemnity for doctors in cases of legal action, found that almost half of doctors say their mental health is worse than during the pandemic.

A further 75 per cent of doctors did not believe the government is doing enough to help healthcare workers’ mental health well-being, and 43 per cent are “considering their future career” because of their concerns for their own health.

Forty-three per cent said “not being able to do the right thing for patients” is affecting their mental health.

One doctor told the survey that their job was becoming “increasingly impossible for fear of serious accidents” and that NHS was “haemorrhaging of experienced staff at every level.”

They said: “I am considering early retirement — far earlier than planned.

“I do think this will be a sad loss both for myself and the NHS services as I have considerable experience and expertise.

“But I have my health, well-being and family to consider also.”

MPS president Professor Dame Jane Dacre said: “Demand for support with mental health issues is still high.

“We are also seeing more staff absent from work due to mental ill health than ever before.”

The seven NHS regions operate “hubs” to care for the mental health and well-being of staff — but not enough cash is available for them to be effective, the survey stated.

Professor Dacre said it was therefore “absolutely the wrong time to scale back mental health provision for healthcare staff.”

British Psychological Society chief executive Sarb Bajwa said: “It’s clear the health and social care workforce is running on empty, and they deserve better than a drastically reduced service that’s unable to meet demand due to short-sighted funding arrangements.”

NHS Providers deputy chief executive Saffron Cordery said: “Staff well-being is the lifeblood of the health service and helps ensure the best patient care.

“Proper government funding and support for it must therefore be non-negotiable.”