Almost two thirds of the psychiatric workforce in Northern Ireland are considering leaving their jobs amid burnout, a survey has found.
A third, 33%, of psychiatrists are experiencing work-related stress or burnout every week, more than 70% are considering leaving their current role – with almost 17% considering quitting within the next year, according to a membership survey from the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland.
The professional body said the findings come amid an “urgent workforce crisis” with 31% of consultant and specialty psychiatrist posts vacant across Northern Ireland.
It has described the report as highlighting the impact on the staffing shortages and urges immediate government investment to expand psychiatry training places to meet the rising demand for services.
‘A vital public service under severe pressure’
Dr Julie Anderson, chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland, said the situation “cannot be overstated” at a time when the region faces higher levels of mental health challenge than the rest of the UK.
“The crisis in mental healthcare in Northern Ireland cannot be overstated with over a third of senior psychiatry doctor posts unfilled,” she said.
“This survey underscores the scale of the challenge and the urgent need for government action to improve staff retention across mental health services and meet the growing demand.
“With an already overstretched workforce, we cannot afford to lose more psychiatrists from a vital public service under severe pressure.
“Staffing shortages have a direct impact on patients, limiting access to services, increasing waiting times and affecting the care and treatment that can be provided.”
“This warning comes as Northern Ireland faces higher levels of mental illness than the rest of the UK, despite receiving less funding than other nations.”
No additional funding made available
Responding, the Department of Health said it is “acutely aware of the challenges faced by the psychiatry workforce in responding to increasing demand and growing complexity in the face of high vacancy rates”.
It added: “Officials work closely with the Royal College on a range of workstreams which aim to address challenges around recruitment, retention, and training.
“The Mental Health Strategy remains the key vehicle for driving systemic reform in NI.
“The minister has been clear that delivering the strategy requires sustained and additional investment and he will continue to make the case for mental health until the ambition so clearly set out in 2021 is fully realised.
“The Mental Health Strategy Review of Deliverability 2026-2029 report confirmed that no additional funding has been made available to implement the strategy and that, as of the end of 2024/25, just 16% of the funding expected at that stage had been allocated from existing resources.
“The review was carried out to refocus and prioritise activity within the department’s constrained budget, while also reiterating that the full strategy remains essential for driving the transformation of mental health services.”