A dedicated webpage has been launched for care home staff following the publication of a series of special edition wellbeing newsletters.
Over the autumn period, eight downloadable newsflashes have been produced focusing on the health and wellbeing of care home staff. The info-updates feature practical support and advice, ranging from managing anxiety, sleeping better to how to create time for yourself.
Caroline Martin, senior nurse, who co-chairs the Lanarkshire’s multiagency care home staff wellbeing group, said the launch of the page is a strong addition to a broad raft of support.
“We know the impact of Covid continues to be deeply felt by our colleagues working in the front line of care homes. Through our group’s work with care homes, we have listened very carefully. It was highlighted to us that it could be challenging to know where to find wellbeing information.
“Since then, our group has focussed on developing and sharing meaningful help and support information, from wallet cards with helpline support to a series of information videos. The newsletter has been the latest addition to that raft of information.
Caroline added: “Although the feedback has been very positive, we are aware of how busy care home staff are. The collation of this series in one webpage means staff who perhaps missed some of the editions, or would like to revisit the tips and guidance, can find them all in one accessible place.”
The care home staff wellbeing group is made up of representatives from North and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnerships, NHS Lanarkshire and Scottish care/care home sector. Its aim is to ensure staff are supported, from simple wellbeing provision to those who require mental health assessment and intervention.
Dr Susan Ross, consultant clinical psychologist and co-chair, also welcomed the web page launch. Dr Ross added: “Staff told us that the support they access and value the most is from each other.
“During the course of these newsletters we issued an appeal to find out more about what was working for staff, in terms of those naturally occurring supports. We’ve learned that a rich tapestry of innovative peer-to-peer support is exists across the sector. This ranges from formal events like staff appreciation weeks, nomination for award ceremonies, to more ad-hoc and creative means, such as a member of staff in one care home creating a superheroes style caricature gallery of her colleagues.
“This underlines that staff being there for each other has been – and is – a very effective and powerful form of support. Creativity abounds – but this is often achieved by staff just simply listening and talking to each other. The power of having someone who ‘gets it’ cannot be underestimated.”
Dr Ross added: “Where necessary, we aim to support staff to continue to be there for each other, sharing ideas and ensuring they have access to information and resources such as our psychological first aid module.
“It’s also important they know where to reach out to for help when it’s needed. This new web page adds to the support and signposts available.”
Care home staff wellbeing group needs you.
If any member of the care home workforce would like to join the wellbeing group, or share their thoughts, please get in touch. We are keen to hear the things that are tricky for staff collectively and individually and to make sense of what they have faced in the past 16 months.
Please email us:
Caroline.Martin@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
Susan.Ross@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
