Support for GPs

The Cameron Fund is the only medical charity which solely supports NHS General Practitioners. This includes GP Trainees, working GPs, retired GPs, as well as dependants of GPs. The Fund helps GPs and their families who are suffering financial hardship, whether through physical or mental ill-health, disability, bereavement or loss of employment. Financial help is tailored to best support an individual’s return to work. As well as grants and loans, the Fund can help with money advice assessments and career coaching for those who may no longer be able to continue to work as a GP.

A useful video detailing the help they offer is available here.

The RMBF can provide financial assistance and advice, including debt management advice and careers counselling. They provide grants for specific things (such as paying an overdue council tax bill that you cannot meet, or paying for you to meet a professional debt counsellor) and prioritise those in greatest need. They are very friendly and approachable and there are case advisors who can discuss your individual circumstances with you. They aim to not just avert an imminent crisis, but give you the tools to manage your finances in the long term. To qualify for support you need to be a GMC registered doctor or a recognised dependant, resident in the UK, unable to work, with little in the way of income or savings.

Free and confidential 24/7 counselling and peer support services open to all doctors and medical students (regardless of BMA membership), plus their partners and dependents, on 0330 123 1245. There is always someone you can talk to.

You can access one-off support or, after triage, a structured course of up to six face-to-face counselling sessions, provided by the BMA’s existing accredited provider – Health Assured. All counsellors are members of the BACP and bound by strict codes of confidentiality.

The RCGP provide some excellent resources including “Where to get help” which includes an online course, offering advice on stress management, alcohol, nutrition, exercise and substance misuse.

They also have an excellent “GP wellbeing section” which includes a toolbox of notecards, designed to help doctors through the range of emotions and lifestyle changes they may be experiencing at this time as well as individual coaching service to provide support to all clinical and non-clinical primary care staff through video link or telephone with experienced coaches. They provide links to external resources here.

Studies indicate that doctors, regardless of any stage of training and specialisation are a population highly at risk of developing addiction disorders.

Enfys offer free, on-going support (in English and Welsh) and after-care for anyone affected by, or at risk of, difficulties relating to an addiction.

Enfys deal with all types of addiction, including alcohol, drugs (prescribed or illicit), gambling, sex, eating disorders and any other dependency or harmful behaviour. We help anyone who needs support in taking that first step towards recovery or wants to maintain their on-going recovery.

They also welcome and provide advice and support for family members, partners and friends who are affected by these addictions. Confidentiality and mutual respect are paramount in all that we do.

The Society for the Assistance of Medical Families help other doctors and their families who have fallen on hard times through illness or other circumstances beyond their control. They help a number of medical students and other students, the sons or daughters of medical practitioners who are themselves in financial difficulties. They offer support in retraining/reskilling, educational support and widow(er) & family support.

The RMF again provides financial support for doctors and their dependents in financial need. The mostly provide emergency grants and support for widows, widowers and children.

Canopi (previously known as HHP Wales) offers a free and confidential mental health support service for social and health care staff in Wales.

Canopi provides support to those with mental health and psychological symptoms, including:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Alcohol-related issues.

The BMA has two charities which can help doctors in times of financial need – the BMA Charities Trust Fund and the Dain Fund.

The Trust Fund can provide one-off grants for specific things but can’t provide ongoing support for living costs. They also help with payment of Council tax and bankruptcy fees, and can refer doctors to a debt counsellor for free advice. They can also offer one-off grants for palliative or terminal care including money for a holiday or respite break. They cannot help with legal fees, private medical treatments or career enhancement projects.

The Dain Fund provides help with educational costs of children of doctors, and can assist a family during times of financial crisis. This also includes children of doctors who are at University.

You can self refer to SBUHB  Occupational Health Department. The Occupational Health & Staff Wellbeing Service is an integrated team of health professionals which aims to support employees and volunteers of the Swansea Bay University HB with their health and wellbeing. This includes support with musculoskeletal and emotional health in the workplace.  

They offer an initial contact appointment to discuss your current wellbeing needs, and can offer signposting, access to helpful resources and support from one of their trained advisors.