Dr. Amanda Burke:

Isolation is a big issue. This is why I spoke about the model of care earlier. Burnout is even higher in stand-alone teams that are more geographically remote and who do not have colleagues. We are looking at children who have the most intense difficulties. Sometimes there is not a simple answer or diagnosis. People need colleagues who can give them a second opinion. There need to be case conferences. People need to share the burden of responsibility for making these important decisions. This is why people need to work in teams and groups under a directorate. People should not feel embarrassed to seek help or to say they need support.

People also need the flexibility to move. There are certain jobs that are more stressful than others. Inpatient CAMHS jobs can be more stressful because of the milieu of an inpatient unit. Moving people from one area to another can assist with this. It is not all about doctors. Health and social care professionals and nursing staff need good solid career structures so they are not stuck in jobs without being able to get a promotional post that can keep them in the clinical realm. I am very pleased about the move towards advanced nurse practitioners. It is a great support and has made a big difference in my area. These are clinical posts at a very senior level. There are nurse prescribers who can work autonomously. It gives a career path to nurses so they do not feel they have to step off and go into managerial posts. We need to develop similar roles for health and social care professionals so we keep very good clinicians in clinical work and they do not all feel they have to go and become managers, not that there is anything wrong with being a manager, of course.