2. A useful conversation, not a diagnosis

Ask, then listen

“You do not seem yourself. I have time if you want to talk.” Then stop talking. Do not force a disclosure in the corridor with a patient at the door.

Confidentiality

A confidence is not waiting-room gossip. Share with a manager or occupational health only if there is a safety risk or they ask you to. “I am worried about X, they looked unsafe with a scalpel” is different from “guess who is on antidepressants”.

Do not be their clinician

You are a colleague. Offer practical help (swap a late, sit with them while they call the GP). Do not prescribe, do not analyse their childhood, do not tell them to try a cold plunge instead of care.

Signpost

GP, occupational health, NHS 111, employer assistance if you have it, and reputable charity lines your practice lists. For dentists and DCPs, professional support lines exist — keep current numbers in the policy, not in this lesson which will date.

Leaders

If you hold the rota, you can reduce load. A poster about mindfulness next to a 40-patient day is decoration. Protected breaks, a fair late list, and not mocking people who book annual leave are the intervention.