If you have a problem and need to talk to somebody you may find the following information helpful.
- Association of Anaesthetists’ Sick Doctor Scheme
Advice for anaesthetists.
Tel: 020 7631 1650 - BMA Counselling Service
Provides 24/7 telephone counselling by qualified counsellors.
Tel: 0645 200169 - BMA Doctors for Doctors Service
Provides help for doctors in employment difficulties especially in relation to mental health problems and abuse of alcohol and drugs. The unit provides a signposting service to the area of help that is of most pertinence to the individual doctor’s case. Tel: 020 7383 6739 - British Doctors’ and Dentists’ Group
A network of support groups of recovering medical and dental drug and alcohol users. Students are also welcomed. The groups are accessed via the Medical Council on Alcohol.
Tel: 020 7487 4445
website: www.medicouncilalcol.demon.co.uk - British International Doctors’ Association
Where cultutal or linguistic problems may be a contributing factor doctors can access the health counselling panel.
Tel: 0161 456 7828
email: oda@doctors.org.uk - British Medical Journal Careers
A web-based matching scheme for doctors who have chronic physical illness and for those who have suffered from discrimination in their careers.
websites: http://www.bmjcareers.com/chill and www.bmjcareers.com/discrimination - Clinicians’ Health Intervention Treatment and Support
Promotes a consistent response to substance misuse problems in clinical staff throughout the United Kingdom. The confederation recognises that dedicated services to deal with addictive behaviour in healthcare professionals are important components in any effective response to their problems.
Tel: 01335 342144
email: avoca@birdsgrove.freeserve.co.uk - Doctors’ Support Network and Doctors’ SupportLine
Self-help organisations for doctors with or who have recovered from mental illness.
Tel: 0870 765 0001
email: lizzie@dsn.org.uk
websites: www.dsn.org.uk and www.doctorssupportline.org - Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Provides support for Fellows and Members in difficulties. Click here for details. - Royal Medical Benevolent Fund
Provides financial help for sick doctors.
Tel: 020 8540 9194
email: seniorcaseworker@rmbf.org
website: www.rmbf.org - Sick Doctors’ Trust
A pro-active service, self-help organisation for addicted physicians.
Tel: 0870 444 5163
website: www.sick-doctors-trust.co.uk
Help may often be obtainable from the doctor’s GP, medical defence organisation, the NHS occupational health service, the postgraduate deanery and the LMC.
Details of the General Medical Council’s role in helping sick doctors can be found at: www.gmc-uk.org .