In response to a new British Psychological Society report urging long-term funding for NHS staff mental health and wellbeing services, Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, said:

"With more than 121,000 unfilled jobs across the NHS in England today, trusts work tirelessly to retain valued, skilled staff. The wellbeing of the workforce is key.

"More than one in four sickness absences in July were due to anxiety, stress, depression and other psychiatric illnesses. Heavy workloads and huge pressure on stretched services are leading to lots of staff feeling worn out.

"The effects of financial pressures on trusts and the cost of living crisis on staff amid the longest period of industrial action in the history of the NHS' history have compounded problems of high staff turnover.

"People are the backbone of the NHS. Investing in and focusing on the wellbeing of staff means that they are better able to give patients first-class care and trusts can ensure that the NHS continues to be a great place to work."