Are You OK? campaign

The psychological health of nurses needs to be “front and centre” of discussions at board level, researchers have said as they launch a new guide for health leaders on how to improve staff wellbeing.

The number of nursing staff expressing suicidal thoughts has almost doubled, the Royal College of Nursing has reported.

Nurses and nursing leaders have expressed concern and disappointment about the scaling back of NHS staff mental health hubs, which were set up in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The first public hearing from the UK Covid-19 Inquiry has been underway today and recognised the “death, misery and incalculable loss” caused by the pandemic to date.

An exhibition celebrating the role charities have played in supporting the NHS throughout its history has kicked off this week, featuring stories from nurses about how funding has improved their workplaces.

Members of the RCN have called for the introduction of a specific suicide prevention programme for the nursing workforce across the UK.