National funding boost for ambulance staff wellbeing and support services

Ambulance staff and volunteers across England are set to benefit from new national funding aimed at strengthening suicide prevention and mental health support.

The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) and The Ambulance Staff Charity (TASC) have secured £348,000 through the Workforce Wellbeing Programme, a partnership between NHS Charities Together and NHS England.

The funding will establish a new Ambulance Staff Suicide Prevention Fund, designed to ensure those working, volunteering or training within ambulance services can access timely and effective wellbeing support.

Ambulance personnel continue to face some of the most intense pressures in the NHS, with higher levels of burnout, sickness absence and exposure to trauma than many other parts of the health service.

Anna Parry, Managing Director of AACE, said: “This new funding is excellent news and will be targeted where it is needed most. It will help sustain a vital suicide prevention helpline, expand preventative support, and strengthen local initiatives such as suicide prevention training and wellbeing programmes that can be embedded for the long term.”

“This work builds on existing progress, including trauma and neurodiversity projects funded through the Workforce Wellbeing Programme and the efforts of AACE’s employee wellbeing and suicide prevention group, which has introduced sector‑wide tools, guidance and a central suicide register.”

Anna Parry

The investment builds on existing work across the sector, including trauma and neurodiversity projects supported by the Workforce Wellbeing Programme, as well as AACE-led initiatives such as a central suicide register and sector-wide guidance.

To date, the programme has invested more than £5 million in 61 local projects across England to address rising levels of burnout and work-related stress.

Partners say the new national collaboration will bring together expertise and delivery at every level, with the aim of improving wellbeing, strengthening suicide prevention efforts and ensuring ambulance staff are better supported.

TASC’s Ambulance Staff Crisis Phoneline will continue to provide confidential, independent support for UK ambulance personnel, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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