Regulated health and social care professionals in Scotland can use the Workforce Specialist Service, a confidential mental health service, when confidentiality stops them using local care. The National Wellbeing Hub collects wellbeing resources for everyone working in health, social care and social work in Scotland. For urgent mental health help, call NHS 24 on 111 and choose the mental health option.
Key facts
- Emergency
- 999 or A&E
- Urgent mental health help
- NHS 24 on 111, mental health option, for all ages
- Breathing Space
- 0800 83 85 87, for over-16s. Monday to Thursday 6pm to 2am, and Friday 6pm to Monday 6am.
- Samaritans
- 116 123, free, 24 hours
- Staff mental health service
- Workforce Specialist Service, 0300 0303 300, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm
- Staff wellbeing resources
- National Wellbeing Hub
- Employment advice
- Acas 0300 123 1100
- Local advice
- Citizens Advice Scotland helpline 0800 028 1456
- Whistleblowing
- Independent National Whistleblowing Officer, 0800 008 6112
Workforce Specialist Service for regulated professionals
The Workforce Specialist Service (WSS) is a confidential mental health treatment service for regulated health and social care professionals working in Scotland. NHS Practitioner Health runs the service. WSS treats stress, anxiety, depression and addiction, with a focus on how these affect work. To qualify, you must be unable to get care through your own GP or local services because of confidentiality concerns.
You self-refer through an online registration form and wellbeing assessment. The service aims to contact you within 5 working days. Clinicians based in England deliver assessments and therapy by video or phone. WSS does not accept people needing crisis care, ADHD or autism assessment, physical health care or occupational health reports. Retired professionals not planning to return to practice are not eligible.
The National Wellbeing Hub
The National Wellbeing Hub is a website for everyone working in health, social care and social work in Scotland. The hub gathers ideas for staying well, learning resources and links to services, plus an urgent help page. The hub suits staff outside the regulated professions, such as healthcare support workers, who do not qualify for WSS.
Profession bodies add further help. Pharmacists, trainees and pharmacy students can contact Pharmacist Support, doctors can use BMA wellbeing services, and nurses can use RCN member support.
Urgent help numbers in Scotland
Call 999 or go to A&E if a life is at risk. For urgent mental health help, call NHS 24 on 111 and choose the mental health option. The call connects you to the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub, which is open to people of all ages. Breathing Space offers a free listening service on 0800 83 85 87 for people over 16, in the evenings during the week and through the weekend. Samaritans answer on 116 123. See our urgent help page.
Employment advice in Scotland
Acas covers Scotland and gives free, impartial advice on 0300 123 1100, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. You must notify Acas for early conciliation before most tribunal claims, and conciliation pauses the clock. Most claims about a problem on or after 1 October 2026 have a limit of six months less one day. Earlier problems keep three months less one day. Breach of contract claims in Scotland move to six months only for breaches on or after 9 November 2026. See tribunal deadlines.
Citizens Advice Scotland is a separate Scottish charity. Online advice sits at citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland, and the helpline on 0800 028 1456 connects you to an adviser at a local bureau. Read our Citizens Advice profile. Pharmacists can get defence and employment support from the Pharmacists' Defence Association.
Whistleblowing in NHS Scotland
NHS Scotland follows the National Whistleblowing Standards. The Independent National Whistleblowing Officer (INWO), a role held by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, is the final stage for whistleblowing concerns about NHS services in Scotland. Raise a concern through your health board's process first. Contact INWO on 0800 008 6112 if the process fails.
For independent advice before you raise a concern, call Protect on 020 3117 2520. The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 applies in Scotland. See whistleblowing in healthcare and speaking up.
Regulators for staff working in Scotland
- GPhC: pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacies in Great Britain, including Scotland.
- GMC, NMC, GDC and HCPC: doctors, nurses and midwives, dental professionals and allied health professions across the UK.
- Healthcare Improvement Scotland: inspects and improves healthcare services in Scotland.
- HSE: workplace health and safety in Great Britain, including the Management Standards for work stress.
How Scotland differs from England
Staff in Scotland use WSS rather than Practitioner Health's England service, NHS 24 on 111 for urgent mental health help, and INWO rather than Freedom to Speak Up Guardians. Employment law, Acas and the GPhC apply across Great Britain. Compare England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or read coverage across the UK.
Common questions
What is the Workforce Specialist Service?
WSS is a confidential mental health service for regulated health and social care professionals working in Scotland who cannot get care locally because of confidentiality. NHS Practitioner Health runs the service.
How do I get urgent mental health help in Scotland?
Call NHS 24 on 111 and choose the mental health option. Call 999 if a life is at risk.
What is the Breathing Space number?
Breathing Space is on 0800 83 85 87 for people over 16 in Scotland. Lines open Monday to Thursday 6pm to 2am, and from 6pm Friday to 6am Monday.
Who handles NHS whistleblowing complaints in Scotland?
The Independent National Whistleblowing Officer, at the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, is the final stage. Call 0800 008 6112.