This month members of our senior team and three of our non-executive Board members continued their planned visits to meet staff and hear about the ongoing work to improve the patient experience.
Our director of nursing, Trudi Marshall, joined other members of the senior management team and non-executive Board members Lesley McDonald, Brian Moore and Phil Couser at the spiritual care and wellbeing centre in University Hospital Wishaw. The visit was to meet and discuss with the spiritual care and wellbeing team the role they play in supporting staff, patients and their families.
Spiritual care is an important element in delivering person-centred care. Treating people as individuals with their own strengths, beliefs, relationships and life context can make a huge difference.
Paul Graham, Head of Spiritual Care and Wellbeing shared about the work of the team. He said: “It’s such an important gift to give someone else…the gift of time and the opportunity to talk about what matters to them. We’re aiming to support a culture where colleagues feel psychologically safe and supported, and that in turn leads to good outcomes for those we care for.”
“Hospitals and health centres can be strange environments if you aren’t familiar with them. It’s our workplace and sometimes we can forget how anxious people can be when they come into clinical settings. The team are trained and experienced listeners who contribute to the work of the wider healthcare team. They aim to give people a space to tell their story and reflect on anxieties, hopes and challenges.
“Everyone has spiritual needs, such as the need to love and be loved, have hope and support, have dignity and respect and feel valued and listened to. We try to offer this to everyone we meet.”
“Each of the acute sites has a sanctuary area where patients, families, visitors and staff can come for some respite and reflection…and maybe even a cuppa!”
“Working with people who are ill, anxious and distressed can take a toll on staff, especially when they are facing very difficult and sad outcomes. Our staff care service is one of our ways to support individuals and teams. NHS Lanarkshire is a 24-hour service and that’s why we offer a 24-hour staff care helpline (01698 752000) where colleagues can get support when they’re feeling a bit overwhelmed.
“Above all else, the team are here for everyone…patients, carers, visitors, volunteers and staff.”
Trudi Marshall added: “It was fantastic to undertake this visit alongside our non-executive Board members and to hear about the work the spiritual care and wellbeing team carry out to support people using our services and staff.
“It was clear that every member of the team is extremely committed to ensuring that people feel valued and are supported through a range of challenging experiences. The work to support staff is vital if we wish them to stay well and provide high quality care and support”.
