Dr Paul Litchfield, former BT Chief Medical Officer and BTPS member, offers wellbeing guidance for members planning their retirement and for those already pensioners.

To recognise World Mental Health Day, leading physician, Dr Paul Litchfield, visited the BTPS administration centre in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, to talk to the member services team that supports BTPS members and their beneficiaries.

With a wealth of experience advising organisations such as the World Economic Forum and the World Health Organisation on the relationship between work and health, Dr Litchfield led a topical discussion about the importance of wellbeing, warning signs to look out for among people struggling with mental health issues and what response and support can help.

As well as his session with BTPS employees, Dr Litchfield recorded two videos for BTPS members at different stages of their retirement journey. The first, aimed at members planning to retire, explores the importance of planning for the non-financial aspects of leaving work, as well as the monetary implications. The second looks at the separate issues of isolation and loneliness and the impact of bereavement on wellbeing. The videos can be viewed at the links below.

Preparing for retirement – Putting wellbeing on the retirement planning checklist.

Wellbeing guidance for pensioners.

Dr Litchfield has held senior positions in the Royal Navy, the UK Civil Service and, for almost 20 years, was Chief Medical Officer at BT. He currently chairs the “What Works Centre for Wellbeing”, which is dedicated to understanding what can be done to improve wellbeing across society, as well as holding appointments with the Health & Safety Executive, NHS England and is independent medical adviser to ITV. He was awarded the OBE in 2007 and the CBE in 2018 for his services to wellbeing in the workplace.