The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland said the call is to protect both patients and staff after a new survey revealed the scale of workforce pressures across mental health services in the region.

The research by the body found that 89% of psychiatrists have experienced or witnessed moral injury, which is distress caused by being unable to meet patients’ needs because of system pressures.

It also found that 65% said they had faced non-clinical pressure when making clinical decisions such as staff shortages, bed pressures and service targets.

The body said the survey results underline the need for mental health reform to remain at the top of the Executive’s agenda.

It is calling for government to recruit and retain more psychiatrists and mental health professionals as we

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