Dr Richard Duggins

Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist and Associate Medical Director for Leadership and Culture, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Dr Richard Duggins leads the North East and North Cumbria Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub, supporting a workforce of more than 175,000 health and social care staff across the region. The Hub was the national winner of the Valuing Our People Award at the 2026 NHS Excellence Awards and is a finalist in the 2026 Mental Health Awards. Richard also works with NHS Practitioner Health, the national service supporting health and social care professionals.

Sometimes described as “the doctors’ doctor”, Richard is known for his work with clinicians and teams at times when the pressures of work and life have begun to take their toll. His book, Burnout-Free Working, offers a compassionate, practical and evidence-based approach to understanding burnout and creating healthier workplaces.

Richard is also an executive coach, speaker and co-host, with Dr Lee David, of the NHS Practitioner Health podcast.