A resilience hub which was set up during the Covid pandemic in order to help burnt-out, stressed and overworked NHS staff is under review and could lose its funding.

The Lancashire and South Cumbria Resilience Hub was set up in October 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, using additional non-recurrent funding until the end of this financial year.

It was launched with the aim of providing psychological support to staff in the NHS alongside already established wellbeing services.

However, the service is currently closed to any new referrals, and it is believed funding for the scheme is under review.

The hub has helped more than 1,100 individuals and numerous teams and services but as with many Covid -19 initiatives, funding will end in March 2023.

One person who used the hub said: “After being on the frontline and managing staff and patients in one of the most intense environments in the hospital, I eventually experienced mental burnout, anxiety and extreme stress.

“Nine months of relentless stress and pressure had eventually taken its toll. Something snapped in my head and I just had to get as far away from there as possible. I had a panic attack that had me fearing for my life and ended up breaking down.

“That was the lowest point in my life and I was massively unprepared.

“I had never experienced mental health problems before and always saw myself as a mentally strong person. I felt like a failure and couldn’t understand what was happening to me.

“When I was referred to the Resilience Hub I didn’t know what to expect. I’d heard great feedback but didn’t have high expectations for myself. I’m not the best at opening up and didn’t think it would help, but considering my desperation to get better I was willing to try anything.

“After one session I instantly felt reassured and had an understanding of what was happening to me.

“I can’t recommend this service enough. Even if you don’t think you are the type of person to benefit from talking it’s worth exploring. 

“I owe so much to the resilience hub and to the person who helped me as they were paramount to my recovery.”

In a joint statement James Fleet, chief people officer from NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, and Rob Cragg, chief people officer from Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We acknowledge the difficult few years our NHS staff have been through due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Resilience Hub was established in direct response to this.

“Our dedicated staff are our greatest resource, and their mental health and wellbeing is a priority for us. Each organisation continues to provide ongoing health and wellbeing services, support and guidance for all staff.

“We are working together, along with colleagues at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, to explore future options which will allow us to continue to offer an enhanced mental health and wellbeing service. We want to do this in a way which is sustainable and will support our NHS colleagues across the whole of Lancashire and South Cumbria.”

Mr Cragg added: “While the Resilience Hub is currently closed to any new referrals, I would like to assure everyone currently receiving care that they will remain on their care pathways.

“Finally, on behalf of the Trust, I would like to say a huge thanks to all of the Resilience Hub staff who have helped and supported so many over the past few years.”

A final decision is yet to be made nationally on the funding of these hubs for 2023/24, although staff will continue to receive significant health and wellbeing support through various initiatives accessible through their individual organisations.

It is believed that MP for Chorley and Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, is involved in trying to get funding. His office has been contacted for comment.

A petition has now been set up to try and save the service, which has garnered more than 30,000 signatures. It can be found here.