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24th March 2026 3:39 pm
Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has rolled out a new AI-powered mental health platform to support staff wellbeing, as NHS organisations continue to grapple with rising levels of burnout and sickness absence.
The trust is deploying Aria, a digital wellbeing and therapy companion developed by Medstars, which provides staff with 24/7, confidential access to mental health support and guidance.
The move comes as workforce pressures linked to mental health continue to intensify across the NHS. Stress, anxiety and depression remain the leading causes of sickness absence, accounting for more than a quarter of all days lost.
More than half of staff across Birmingham and Solihull report work-related stress, while significant numbers say they leave shifts feeling emotionally exhausted. At Birmingham Women’s and Children’s itself, over a third of staff report emotionally demanding work.
Aria is designed to act as a first point of contact for staff experiencing common mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety and low mood. The platform uses evidence-based therapeutic approaches to provide immediate support and guide users towards appropriate care where needed.
Crucially, it is intended to complement rather than replace existing provision. The platform integrates with services such as occupational health and employee assistance programmes, helping staff navigate pathways and access the right support more quickly.
Early user data suggests the app could help reduce pressure on frontline services. Around 85 per cent of users report feeling better after their first interaction, while 40 per cent resolve their issue without needing further intervention.
For employers, this offers a potential route to reducing sickness absence and improving productivity, both of which are key priorities in the NHS 10-year health plan.
The platform also provides anonymised, real-time insights into workforce wellbeing, enabling HR teams to identify trends and intervene earlier without compromising individual confidentiality.
The trust is deploying Aria, a digital wellbeing and therapy companion developed by Medstars, which provides staff with 24/7, confidential access to mental health support and guidance.
The move comes as workforce pressures linked to mental health continue to intensify across the NHS. Stress, anxiety and depression remain the leading causes of sickness absence, accounting for more than a quarter of all days lost.
More than half of staff across Birmingham and Solihull report work-related stress, while significant numbers say they leave shifts feeling emotionally exhausted. At Birmingham Women’s and Children’s itself, over a third of staff report emotionally demanding work.
Aria is designed to act as a first point of contact for staff experiencing common mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety and low mood. The platform uses evidence-based therapeutic approaches to provide immediate support and guide users towards appropriate care where needed.
Crucially, it is intended to complement rather than replace existing provision. The platform integrates with services such as occupational health and employee assistance programmes, helping staff navigate pathways and access the right support more quickly.
Early user data suggests the app could help reduce pressure on frontline services. Around 85 per cent of users report feeling better after their first interaction, while 40 per cent resolve their issue without needing further intervention.
For employers, this offers a potential route to reducing sickness absence and improving productivity, both of which are key priorities in the NHS 10-year health plan.
The platform also provides anonymised, real-time insights into workforce wellbeing, enabling HR teams to identify trends and intervene earlier without compromising individual confidentiality.
Aria is offered at around 50–70 pence per user per month, with a low-burden implementation model that requires minimal IT integration and no formal staff training.
Raffaela Goodby, chief people officer at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s, said: “Supporting our colleagues’ wellbeing is essential. Aria offers secure, accessible mental health support for staff whenever needed. We’ll closely monitor uptake, feedback, and impact on absence as part of our workforce strategy.”
Medstars is a UK-based MedTech company founded by NHS clinicians, focused on improving access to care and workforce wellbeing through a combination of AI technology and clinical expertise. Its flagship platform, Aria, blends digital mental health support with access to GPs, specialist referrals and concierge-style care navigation, designed to work alongside existing NHS and employer-led services.
Rob Markwell, chief executive of Medstars, said: “Trusts face growing pressure to find scalable solutions that support staff earlier and ease demand on services. Aria is designed to align with NHS workforce priorities around prevention and early intervention. The NHS has been clear about the need to improve workforce wellbeing, reduce absence and move towards more preventative, digital-first models of support.
Raffaela Goodby, chief people officer at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s, said: “Supporting our colleagues’ wellbeing is essential. Aria offers secure, accessible mental health support for staff whenever needed. We’ll closely monitor uptake, feedback, and impact on absence as part of our workforce strategy.”
Medstars is a UK-based MedTech company founded by NHS clinicians, focused on improving access to care and workforce wellbeing through a combination of AI technology and clinical expertise. Its flagship platform, Aria, blends digital mental health support with access to GPs, specialist referrals and concierge-style care navigation, designed to work alongside existing NHS and employer-led services.
Rob Markwell, chief executive of Medstars, said: “Trusts face growing pressure to find scalable solutions that support staff earlier and ease demand on services. Aria is designed to align with NHS workforce priorities around prevention and early intervention. The NHS has been clear about the need to improve workforce wellbeing, reduce absence and move towards more preventative, digital-first models of support.
“Aria supports those goals by giving staff immediate access to help in a way that is completely anonymous and confidential, removing barriers to seeking support and building trust in the process. It guides individuals into the right pathways at the right time, without fear of stigma.
“We are already seeing people come forward, engaging early and being referred into appropriate support services.”
