Practitioners Health Matters Programme

This Programme provides appropriate care and support for health professionals in Ireland who may have mental health issues such as stress, anxiety or burnout or who may have a substance misuse problem. It is fully independent and separate from the regulatory bodies and employers. It has been endorsed by Memorandum of Understanding by the relevant professional councils and is supported by representative organisations and training bodies. The Practitioner Health Matters Programme operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded primarily by voluntary contributions and professional associations

Any doctor in Ireland who has a concern about stress, burnout, mental health difficulties or who may have an alcohol or drug misuse problem can receive confidential help from experts at the Practitioner Health Matters Programme (PHMP).

The Practitioner Health Matters Programme (PHMP) in Ireland offers a strictly confidential service to doctors, dentists and pharmacists. We have a confidential telephone line and email contact point for an expert clinical advice service. We welcome contact from any individual whether you are the person in need of help, a family member, a colleague or a friend.

Practitioners can go through difficult periods in their lives and may experience stress, burnout, depression, anxiety or other conditions such as alcohol or drug misuse. Seeking confidential medical help is the most appropriate way to deal with these conditions.

Adverse incidents or complaints can also be very stressful for practitioners. They can impact negatively on mental health with feelings of incompetence, isolation, and guilt to name but a few. In some instances the practitioner can become the second victim and can feel isolated and alone. Often these are temporary feelings but talking with a professional in a confidential setting can help with processing these understandably distressing emotions. PHMP can offer support in these

To make an enquiry or seek support please email us on confidential@practitionerhealth.ie
or call on 0857601274. Alternatively please refer to the website.

Training Body Wellbeing Programmes

In addition to the above, doctors also have access to the physician wellbeing programmes of their training bodies. The principal ones in this respect are those offered by the RCPI and ICGP.

Further information for the RCPI programme can be found here.

The ICGP programme can be found here.