Background The 2019 BMA report on ‘Caring for the mental health of the medical workforce’ found that 80% of doctors are at high risk of burnout with junior doctors being most at risk. The 2018 GMC Training Environment Report also found that 25% of doctors in training felt burnout associated with high workloads, rota gaps, and a lack of a supportive environment.

Method Members of the Junior Doctors Representative Committee at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, launched a bi-monthly initiative called Tea Break Talk, with BMA funding. Through open group discussions and questionnaires we assessed perceptions around seeking support from Clinical/Educational Supervisors and we supported the wellbeing of junior doctors locally by signposting available services and peer-led discussion/reflection.

Results Over 3 months, we obtained feedback from doctors ranging from F1-ST6 levels. All responders found these sessions to be beneficial and a safe platform to discuss concerns regarding their wellbeing and professional development. 44% of the attendees were not aware of the existing counselling services; only 48% felt comfortable discussing stressful scenarios with their supervisors; one third of responders would discuss other personal or health-related concerns with their supervisors and almost 20% felt that doing so would reflect badly on them.