Support for clinicians and allied health professionals

Professions this page covers

The HCPC regulates 15 professions across the UK: arts therapists, biomedical scientists, chiropodists and podiatrists, clinical scientists, dietitians, hearing aid dispensers, occupational therapists, operating department practitioners, orthoptists, paramedics, physiotherapists, practitioner psychologists, prosthetists and orthotists, radiographers, and speech and language therapists.

Other clinicians have their own regulators. Optometrists and dispensing opticians register with the General Optical Council, chiropractors with the General Chiropractic Council and osteopaths with the General Osteopathic Council. Physician associates and anaesthesia associates are regulated by the GMC. Each regulator publishes its own support information for registrants.

Pressures allied health teams describe

Allied health professionals often work across several wards, clinics and community settings in one week. Waiting lists for therapy and imaging put pressure on each appointment. Paramedics describe long handover delays outside emergency departments, exposure to traumatic calls and violence from the public. Theatre staff describe long lists and late finishes. Small professions mean a smaller pool of colleagues to talk to.

• Trauma, loss and difficult calls: read bereavement and moral distress.
• Violence or abuse at work: read patient aggression.
• Heavy caseloads: read workload and understaffing.
• Leading a small team under pressure: read leadership pressure.
• Agency, bank and zero hours work: read zero hours contracts and employment status.

Professional bodies and unions

Each allied health profession has a professional body, such as the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, the College of Paramedics, the Society of Radiographers and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. Several professional bodies, including the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Society of Radiographers, also act as trade unions. Others work alongside UNISON, Unite or GMB, which represent many NHS staff.

Ask your union representative for help as soon as a grievance, disciplinary or contract change starts. Our guides to investigations at work, contract changes and rights at work explain what to expect.

Charities for allied health staff

The Ambulance Staff Charity supports ambulance staff, paramedic students and ambulance service volunteers across the UK. Services include mental health support with a crisis phoneline, an online wellbeing hub, physical rehabilitation, a free monthly benefits and debt clinic, and bereavement support. TASC also runs the Ambulance Staff Sexual Safety Support Service on 0333 038 6573, Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm.

The Laura Hyde Foundation works on mental health support for medical and emergency services staff, including paramedics, and runs the REcharge Hub for healthcare staff with burnout. Doctors in Distress runs group programmes for healthcare workers, and Balint groups offer reflective space for clinicians in any profession. Ask your professional body whether the profession has a benevolent fund.

Confidential mental health care

Start with your GP or occupational health. If you cannot get confidential care through local services, NHS Practitioner Health accepts NHS staff in England who cannot get confidential care locally. In Scotland, the Workforce Specialist Service covers regulated health and social care professionals. In Wales, Canopi supports NHS and social care staff on 0800 058 2738, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. New therapy referrals there are paused from 21 September 2026. In Northern Ireland, call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000 in a crisis. See our Canopi profile and Practitioner Health profile.

HCPC fitness to practise support

The HCPC registrant support service is run by CiC, an independent wellbeing provider. Registrants in the fitness to practise process get free emotional support and practical advice, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 0800 587 7396, email assist@cicwellbeing.com or use text relay on 18001 0800 085 1276. CiC does not know your case details unless you share them. For questions about the case itself, contact your HCPC case manager, and ask your union or professional body for representation. Read fear of seeking help if worry about the regulator is stopping you from getting care.

If you are struggling now

Call 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger. In England, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option. Samaritans answer on 116 123, day and night. Our urgent help page lists options for each nation.

Support services listed for clinicians

Some services below are profession-specific. Read each card for the audience before you get in touch.

Guides for clinicians on Pharma Mate