‘It’s soul destroying’: why so many NHS staff are off sick with burnout

Doctors, paramedics and nurses explain the stress and anxiety of working in a system that has reached breaking point

Frustration with the system was why I went off in the end," said Conor Calby, 26, a paramedic and Unison rep in southwest England, who was recently off work for a month with burnout. I felt like I couldn't do my job and was letting patients down. After a difficult few years it was challenging."

While he usually manages to keep a distinct divide between work and home life, burnout eroded that line. He also lost his sleep pattern and appetite.