Middle East Crisis - resources

Over the last few months we have been talking to members about the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Israel. Some of you have been in touch with the leadership of the College to express your views and to share the distress, sorrow and outrage you are feeling.  

We feel for all those affected, and our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with everyone who is suffering. We can see that the devastating impact on people in these regions is, of course, affecting our members too.

We are mindful that members may have suffered great loss or be desperately concerned for family and friends. Some of you have told us about how the crisis is affecting you at work, as well as in your personal life, and about your concern for colleagues. We want to support you, and as a community, we need to support each other.

Finding the right words to do so is not always easy but even an acknowledgement of the impact can help. We can all look out for our colleagues by asking how they are, listening and offering support.

On this page we have included resources and links that members may find helpful. The College is not responsible for these organisations and so this is simply signposting. We will continue to listen to our members and may add additional links that you have found useful. If you would like to suggest a resource we can add, please email comms@rcoa.ac.uk.

Action you may wish to take

Highlighting your own views

You may wish to write to your MP to express your views. You can find who your current MP is and their email address on the UK Parliament website.

You can also identify and email your MP and/or other elected representatives directly using the WriteToThem website. The website is run by the charity mySociety and is free to use.  

World Health Organisation

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is working with partners to address the most urgent health needs in the region. More information on its operational response plan and public health situation analysis is available on the WHO website.

Making a donation

Donating through established and well-coordinated emergency response appeal mechanisms is an effective way to support people.

• Action Aid - Gaza Crisis Appeal
• British Red Cross - Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory Appeal
• Disasters/Emergency Committee (DEC)
• Jewish Leadership Council - resources with information and charities working in Israel
• Magden David Adom - collecting for medical equipment in Israel
• Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)
• Save the Children - Gaza Emergency Appeal
• Solutions Not Sides
• UNICEF - Children in Gaza Crisis Appeal

Your wellbeing

Hate crimes

Recent news reports show that people are experiencing hate crimes in different parts of the UK relating to the crisis. 

A hate crime, as outlined by the Government, is a criminal offence and can include verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, harassment, assault and damage to property.

You can report a hate crime online or call 101 to speak to the police. Call 999 if you’re reporting a crime that’s in progress or if someone is in immediate danger. Witnesses can also report a hate crime.

There are several national organisations that offer support to victims of hate crime. They provide services such as helplines, guidance, confidential safety advice and training. Some may be able to report a hate crime on a victim’s behalf. You can find links to these organisations on the ‘support for victims’ section of the government’s hate crime information website.

Sources of support

Help is available if you need it. There are organisations that provide direct and confidential support for your mental health and wellbeing. The services listed below specialise in supporting doctors and others working for the NHS.  

UK-wide

• The British Medical Association (BMA) has a free and confidential 24/7 counselling and peer support service open to all doctors and medical students. You do not need to be a member of the BMA to use the service and you can call them on 0330 123 1245.  

England

• NHS England has a confidential text support service, which you can access by texting FRONTLINE to 85258 for support 24/7. You can also use the NHS free and confidential self-check tool to access further information on the range of support offers that are available. 

England and Scotland

• Practitioner Health is a free, confidential NHS Primary care mental health and addiction service with expertise in treating health and care professionals. It is for health and care staff in England and Scotland.

Scotland

• The National Wellbeing Hub is for everyone working in health, social care and social work in Scotland. It includes resources to help and support your mental and physical wellbeing as well as those to support colleagues.

Wales

• Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) has a range of wellbeing resources and tools from organisations across NHS Wales and Social Care Wales. This includes a useful directory of helplines that can provide listening and support services for mental health.

Northern Ireland

• The HSC website features a directory of the organisations that offer services to help improve mental health and emotional wellbeing within each of the five Health and Social Care Trust areas.