Offering peer coaching to hospital consultants is supportive and cost effective

There is a workforce crisis in the NHS, with high levels of staff burnout and stress, but there is no routine support for senior medical staff. The Doctors Development Unit (DDU) was set up with the goal of proactively supporting consultants by offering up to six 1-2-1 coaching sessions, provided by peers who were trained coaches. The DDU has supported 202 staff members in 3 years, including 97 new consultants and 95 established consultants. Qualitative interviews, focus groups and a questionnaire performed to evaluate the DDU found that it fostered wellbeing by making consultants feel heard, included and supported. The DDU had a positive impact on doctors' wellbeing and stress management. For every £1 that was invested into DDU, at least £1.47-2.43 was generated. Offering up to six sessions of peer coaching to consultants in the NHS is a well-received and financially sustainable method of supporting senior medical staff.