I’m a manager or leader

We can also offer group support to your team. This support could be in a variety of forms – we may be able to provide clinical supervision, reflective sessions and problem-solving approaches for your team. Please get in touch with us to find out how we can help.

It’s important that managers take time to recognise the impact that COVID practices and restrictions may be having on staff. People should be encouraged to take regular breaks and have confidence in raising any issues or concerns that they may have.

Offer to refer your team members to our service or encourage them to complete our online wellbeing questionnaire. They might simply want to take a look at the tools and resources available to them via our hub too.

The Royal College of Nursing’s ‘healthy workplace, healthy you’ campaign highlights the importance of taking breaks where possible, staying well hydrated and having access to nutritional food during these difficult times at home and at work. Encourage staff to follow the simple rest, rehydrate and refuel steps to support their wellbeing

• Rest: If you are able to, take your rest breaks – a rest break is there for patient safety as well as yours. If you are not able to take your break and you are concerned that tiredness, raise it with your line manager 
• Rehydrate: Come onto a shift well hydrated and ensure that you keep hydrated during your shift. Look out for the warning signs of dehydration and act. Role model behaviours and encourage your colleagues to keep hydrated.
• Refuel: Don’t go to work hungry, as that may lead to unhealthy choices later in the shift. If you know access to food may be difficult or if you are on the road, bring in some additional snacks such as almonds, bananas or similar non-refrigerated foods. During night shifts avoid heavy, fatty and spicy meals and stick to snacks or easily digestible foods.

How to tell if someone is struggling

• Has their behaviour changed?
• Have they become more agitated, more emotional or more withdrawn?
• Are unusual mistakes being made?
• Are they absent more regularly or contributing less in team situations?

Some of these may be signs that someone is struggling or dealing with something and may need more support. Take time, to ask them in private how they are feeling and if they need to talk about anything. Let them know that your door is open and support is available if they need it, whether that be on a work or personal level.

Offer to refer them to our service – they might simply want to take a look at the tools and resources available to them via our hub.

#Caring4NHSPeople wellbeing webinars

These are designed for people in workforce, occupational health, organisational development, leadership, trade union support, or any other area that is supporting the wellbeing of NHS colleagues. 

For more information on #Caring4NHSPeople, head to the website.