Mental health support service for health and care staff shortlisted in RCN Nursing Awards
The COVID-19 support service for health and care staff across Norfolk and Suffolk which was was launched in January has been shortlisted for an RCN Nursing Award.
The service was created to help health and care staff cope with the immense pressures of working during the COVID-19 pandemic.
So far 120 staff had been referred, triaged, assessed and have had or are having trauma-focused therapy. Many presented with trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, complex grief reactions, trauma related to assaults at work or from witnessing self-harm or serious incidents.
The average referral to assessment time is 1-2 days and assessment to therapy is 1-2 weeks.
All the participants who were surveyed found the service to be compassionate, effective and confidential, and they said they would recommend it to a colleague.
Health and care staff can call the confidential COVID-19 support service on 0300 123 1335 Monday to Friday 09:30 – 16:30
Diane Palmer, a lead nurse at NSFT said: “I feel privileged to be developing and leading this important new service, which is providing rapid access to psychological support for frontline health, social care and care staff who have been supporting the response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Tony Wooderson from Suffolk Mind said “We are so pleased to be offering this service to the amazing professionals who are doing such a vital job on the frontline. We want to ensure they are receiving the support they need during this incredibly challenging time.
“We are here to be a listening ear, offer emotional support and signpost wherever necessary”.