Early access to support for you (EASY) provides support and early intervention to staff from their first day of sickness absence in order to assist in their recovery and return to work.
Staff members can be assured that they will be treated in a caring, professional and non-judgemental manner at all times. The EASY service is completely confidential and no details of any discussion will be shared with managers.
While it is policy for all sickness absence to be reported to EASY, the service aims to concentrate its calls on absences relating to mental health, musculoskeletal conditions, cancers and Covid-19. There are a number of support services that EASY can offer to staff, which may help them while they are off work or when they return. These include:
Immediate Support
o Staff Care and Wellbeing – 24-hour staff care helpline (01698 752000);
o National Wellbeing Helpline – 24/7 support service (0800 111 4191).
Ongoing Support
o Staff confidential counselling service provided by The Talking Rooms (0800 138 9150);
o Able Futures (0800 321 313) – nine months confidential, no cost advice, guidance and support from mental health professionals to help you cope with work while you manage a mental health condition such as anxiety, depression or stress;
o Occupational health case management (OHCM) – a holistic approach to support staff to help address and manage factors that are adversely affecting your overall wellbeing. Contact Salus helpline on 01698 759 333;
o Signposting to helpful websites such as NHS Inform (https://www.nhsinform.scot/), Lanarkshire Mind Matters (https://www.lanarkshiremindmatters.scot.nhs.uk/) and Your Health Matters for self-care information (www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/your-health-matters).
Michele Lyons, assistant case manager, Salus occupational health, safety and return to work services, said: “It’s important that referrals are made to EASY as soon as a member of staff is absent. This will enable our service to provide appropriate support that could help from day one and would ask managers for their assistance in this regard.
“It’s also important to remember that staff don’t have to be absent from work to access the services, they can contact the Salus helpline on 01698 759333 to discuss their concerns. EASY will then direct them to the most appropriate support when they need it.”
Access the EASY referral form at: http://vsv-623/FormStreamNC
A guidance video for the EASY referral system is available at: http://firstport2/staff-support/salus-occupational-health-and-safety/early-access-to-support-for-you/Documents/EASY%20Referral%20Video.mp4
