A team of Staff Care Specialists are providing peer support to health and social care staff across Lanarkshire as they work through the pandemic.
The Staff Care team, who cover acute sites and both North and South Health and Social Care Partnerships, offer a range of support to help staff mental and physical wellbeing .
Lisa Gibson, staff care specialist said: “The staff care and wellbeing service recognised the increased demands on staff and the impact its having on their levels of stress. The service understood that staff needed to be supported and set out to create a network where they could have a confidential chat and get things off their chest.
“This is where the staff care specialists come in. We offer tailored support to all staff across Lanarkshire, this can be one to one support or in group sessions.
“We can provide one to one support for any member of staff who wants to come along to have a chat. These can take place within the quiet room in the wellbeing hubs at each acute hospital. These can be booked in advance or accessed adhoc. If you aren’t near a site or are working from home, we can provide this support at a community site, via MS teams or over the telephone.
“We are here purely to listen and help you identify a way forward with something you are worried about. It can often be helpful to be heard and look at things from a different perpective.”
The team have also been providing support via group sessions with wards and departments, with each session tailored for the particular team.
Lisa added: “Self-care is vitally important. For example, on a plane we are advised to put our own mask on before our child’s if there was an incident. It is the exact same for our staff – we need to look after ourselves so that we can care for others more effectively. Through support we can help explore the techniques that might work for you.”
Michelle Davidson, staff care specialist, said: “We also offer one to one support to staff during a time of crisis. Through our support, we can acknowledge their crisis and help facilitate a better understanding that in the main, we are having normal reactions to abnormal events. We help to encourage effective coping mechanisms and growth through difficult experiences.
“Sometimes you need a little help to tease out what you need to progress further. We can signpost you to further information, or you may need a referral to other agencies such as the staff psychology service, occupational health or time for talking.
“The support provided is confidential and we will only refer to you another service with your agreement. ”
To access health and wellbeing support, you can contact:
- Staff Care and Wellbeing 24hour helpline: 01698 752 000
- Email: staffcare@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
- Reach out on twitter: @StaffCareNHSL
- Visit FirstPort: http://firstport2/staff-support/staff-care-wellbeing/default.aspx
