A survey of health workers, including nurses, occupational therapists and paramedics, found more than four in five (85%) have experienced stress at work over the past 12 months.

Unison head of health Helga Pile said: ‘Government and employers must do more to help staff with their mental health, including providing fast-track access to treatment and moving away from punitive and counter-productive absence policies.

‘They must also act to ensure the NHS is safely staffed to meet the growing needs of communities.'

Staff said stress has had a significant impact on their mental and physical health, with symptoms including anxiety, PTSD, panic attacks, migraines, and sleep disturbance.

Almost a quarter (23%) didn't tell their employer the real reason for their absence from work. Of those, most said they did not feel their manager would support them, while concerns about stigma and not wanting colleagues to know were also common.

Counselling, medication or other forms of support had been sought in the past year by more than one in four (28%) of those under stress.

Almost two thirds (65%) of those who had taken time off for stress reported feeling that they were under pressure to come to work, despite feeling mentally unwell.

Dr Pallavi Bradshaw, medical director at Medical Protection Society (MPS), said: ‘Investment in comprehensive mental wellbeing support should not be considered "optional" or a luxury - it can play a critical role in retaining the medical workforce and requires long-term thinking. We hope this is given due consideration in the promised 10-Year NHS Workforce Plan.'