New policy to support wellbeing of doctors in Europe published by CPME

27th November 2023

Recommendations to enhance the wellbeing of doctors across Europe have been published as part of a new policy from the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME).

With the aim of improving patient care, professional excellence and overall job satisfaction, each of the recommendations is designed to support the holistic wellbeing of doctors at all stages of their careers.

The policy highlights the fact that the ‘demanding nature of [doctors‘] work, long working hours and high levels of stress can take a toll on their physical and mental health’.

‘These challenges are further compounded by workforce shortages and the pursuit of a work-life balance that accommodates family life,’ it adds.

As such, the policy document discusses regulatory measures, cultural shifts and personal resilience enhancement that the CPME deems necessary to support doctors’ wellbeing and positively influence patient safety and healthcare quality.

This includes focusing on adequate staffing and workload management, embracing a people-focused working culture, championing mentoring and peer support networks and supporting doctors as parents and carers.

The need to foster mental health, address burnout and reduce stigma is also highlighted.

A series of specific recommendations for healthcare institutions; the EU, national governments and administrations; and universities and organisations providing medical education and training are also outlined.

Dr Christiaan Keijzer, CPME president, said: ‘The wellbeing of doctors is not only a personal matter but also a critical factor that directly influences patient safety and healthcare quality. Our policy is a reflection of our commitment to creating an environment where doctors can thrive both personally and professionally.’

Dr Martin Balzan, CPME vice president, added: ‘European doctors call on the EU and Member States to ensure effective enforcement of EU directives like the Working Time Directive and Parental Leave Directive. We must ensure that all available tools are aligned to improving the wellbeing of doctors.

‘We urge healthcare institutions to implement benchmarks for minimum workforce capacities to ensure safe staffing levels, which is only possible with fair financial remuneration.

‘We also encourage a supportive organisational culture, emphasising autonomy, a peer support network, and a sense of dialogue, trust and belonging. A culture of wellbeing among young doctors can be promoted by highlighting role models who exemplify a healthy work-life balance.’

‘Historic’ NHS workforce plan set to be published this week, says Prime Minister

26th June 2023

The long-term NHS workforce plan will be published later this week and will be ‘one of the most significant announcements in the history of the NHS’, the UK Prime Minister has said.

Speaking to the BBC on Sunday, Rishi Sunak said the 15-year plan will make sure that ‘we can hire the doctors, nurses and GPs that we need, not just today, but for years into the future, to provide the care that we all need’.

The plan will represent ‘the largest expansion in training and workforce in the NHS is history’ but will also ‘draw on the latest innovations and techniques to streamline the process from classroom to clinic, because it’s right that healthcare adapts and evolve as our needs change’, he added.

Mr Sunak said: ‘This is the NHS’s plan. And it’s right that we back them to do it and it will mean people can have confidence that the doctors and nurses and GPs that we will need will be there and then we can reduce our reliance on foreign-trained healthcare professionals.’

Admitting that workforce recruitment efforts may ‘take time’ to have an impact for patients, he said taking a longer-term approach was ‘the right thing to do’.

‘Governments should make the right long term decisions for the country. It has never been done before. People have always said the NHS needs a long-term plan. So we hire more doctors, more nurses, more GPs, and yes, as you say, it takes five, 10, 15 years for these things to come through. That doesn’t mean it’s the wrong thing for me to do because I’m focused on doing the right long-term things for the country.’

The long-awaited workforce plan is expected to announce a doubling of medical school places and a greater focus on bringing in new NHS staff – including doctors – via apprenticeship routes. It is not known what plans it will set out to retain existing NHS staff, many of whom are currently in dispute with Government over workload and funding.

This story was originally published by our sister publication Pulse.

Image courtesy of 10 Downing Street.