Understanding and mitigating the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on NHS staff in England

The nation has relied heavily on NHS healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic and an effective workforce requires good mental health. Poor quality surveys report high levels of distress in HCWs unconfirmed by some population based studies. So robust evidence is still lacking on the size and impact of the pandemic on HCWs, who is at risk, and what support they may require, if any. We will investigate the psychosocial and occupational outcomes of the pandemic on NHS staff in England, using a well-defined sampling frame across 13 Trusts. Our pilot study, already conducted in three Trusts (Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital, and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts) has demonstrated feasibility and acceptability of a brief baseline questionnaire. We request funding to expand the study in time, geography, and depth. The original sample will be followed four and eight months later, with ten new centres contributing data at these timepoints. Questionnaire data will be validated through standardised diagnostic interviews administered by telephone in a sub-sample, to distinguish distress from disorder. Additionally, we will address the use and outcomes of staff support/wellbeing, and a UKRI- funded ethnicity-focused module will capture inequalities in mental health and occupational outcomes. PPI/E will be central: we will establish a steering PPI/E group of NHS workers, unions, and employers, ensuring strong representation of BAME staff. Findings will inform an effective support strategy for NHS staff during and following the pandemic, for example through workforce planning, emergency response strategies, or targeted support. The project team and partners have extensive networks in policy and practice, allowing for rapid dissemination of findings.