Recovery from COVID-19: how do we manage and respond to problematic substance use in perinatal staff?

Problematic substance use (PSU) in midwifery populations has been under-researched (Pezaro et al 2020). Yet substance use as a means of coping with work strain has continued to increase across a range of health professionals working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom (UK) (Gillen et al 2022). As we move towards post-pandemic functioning, the demands on perinatal services are not abating, with continued pressure on resourcing and staffing. Therefore, it is important to ascertain how to effectively manage and respond to PSU in perinatal staff populations for the safety and protection of both the public and the professionals themselves.