Support & Assistance
Occasionally, despite your best attempts to avert it, you may find yourself in a financial crisis. There are a few things you can do if you find yourself in this situation. Most importantly, you must speak to someone rather than trying to cope by yourself.
- If you feel able to, talk to your family and friends. You may not want to accept any financial help, but at the very least they can support you and you can tackle the problem together. Parents and other family members generally prefer to know about difficult situations, rather than finding out afterwards that you were really struggling.
- Speak to your bank manager and explain the situation. They may be able to temporarily extend your overdraft and they can help you to prevent a similar situation happening again.
- If you are unable to pay your rent, speak to your landlord or landlady early on. You may be able to negotiate a late payment, and at the very least you can warn them that you are unable to pay that month – a lot better than them finding out the day your rent is due!
- If you are unable to pay council tax, speak to your local council. If left, a council tax bill can lead to court action being taken against you, but if you speak to them early you can often come up with a manageable repayment plan.
- The same applies for other bills – ring up and explain the situation and they will often be flexible and helpful, instead of sending you threatening letters when payment is late.
- In a real emergency you can apply for a crisis loan from the government’s Social Fund. Crisis loans are interest free and are there to prevent serious harm to you or your family’s health and wellbeing. Speak to someone at your local CAB or visit www.direct.gov.uk for further information.
- The most important thing is to seek help early. It may be difficult asking for financial support but once you are over the immediate crisis you can come up with a repayment plan and put measures in place to prevent a disaster from occurring again!
Note: Health for Health Professionals is now available to anyone working for the NHS including admin staff
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General Support
The BMA is the professional association/trade union for doctors in the UK, and looks after the professional and personal needs of its members. It can help you with any difficulties or disputes with your employer, and there are local representatives who can meet with you and support you through difficult times. It can provide advice on a wide range of issues, and is a really good first port of call.
The website provides a wealth of information on a range of issues affecting doctors, including health and legal matters. They list the contact details for a wide range of resources for doctors in difficulty. You can even talk to an advisor online if you don’t want to ring or email!
Support website run by the RMBF, containing a wealth of information on careers, training, health and financial issues. There is a section for doctors who are unwell, as well as articles on budgeting and debt management.
The BCAP helps you to find a counsellor or psychotherapist in your area.
The Samaritans offer 24 hours a day telephone, email and face to face listening and support services for anyone suffering from distress or despair.
Local Counselling Services

Some trusts offer a free counselling service for their staff – it is worth asking if you think it would benefit you.
Health, Disability, Stress and Addiction
Journal articles on ill health in doctors

Provides a range of information for doctors with disabilities.
Hope4Medics is a charity set up by a doctor to help support other doctors with disabilities.
ISMA provides evidence-based information on stress and how to manage it.
DSN provides information, support and a confidential telephone service for doctors experiencing mental health problems
Mind is the UK’s biggest mental health charity and provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems.
The Sick Doctors Trust provides information and support for doctors affected by drink or alcohol dependence.

- 0779 646 4045
- http://www.enfys.wales/
- [email protected]
Studies indicate that doctors, regardless of any stage of training and specialisation are a population highly at risk of developing addiction disorders (British Medical Association, 1998).
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.
We 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.
Addiction/Alcohol Resources
Addiction/alcohol resources (not specifically for doctors)

www.addaction.org.uk
www.alcoholconcern.org.uk
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
www.m-c-a.org.uk (Medical Council on Alcohol)
https://ukna.org/ (Narcotics Anonymous)
www.release.org.uk

- 0779 646 4045
- http://www.enfys.wales/
- [email protected]
Studies indicate that doctors, regardless of any stage of training and specialisation are a population highly at risk of developing addiction disorders (British Medical Association, 1998).
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.
We 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.