Psychotherapist warns frontline staff 'facing mental health pandemic'

A top psychotherapist is warning healthcare staff are struggling with severe mental ill health as a result of their experience on the wards.

Owen O'Kane who is also a former NHS clinical lead and has experience as a nurse in both palliative and emergency care, told Downtown Cool FM he fears for the future of nurses and doctors:

"I think a lot of Trusts at the moment are naturally focused on hospital admissions, keeping services running as normally as possible, keeping the R number down and preventing death.

"But there is a mental health pandemic in itself going on at the moment and I think Trusts have to be very, very mindful.

"Ultimately, if healthcare workers are not able to do their job well then who looks after their patients?"

Dr O'Kane's warning comes as a new survey showed almost half of ICU staff scored clinical for PTSD, severe anxiety and depression, and 1-8 have felt suicidal.

Hospital admissions are predicted to reach their peak this week and the Health Minister says staff are weary and burnt out.

Robin Swann urged everyone to do all they can to protect them:

"We all know that our health service is facing unparalleled pressures and those who work for it are already exhausted and traumatised.

"We can't afford to ease up on our fightback as our hospitals prepare for the full brunt of the latest surge."

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