Multiple Teams

Collaborative Wellbeing Approach

At the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, the HR team quickly mobilised to develop processes to support the wellness and safety of our staff. As part of NHS Western Isles response to COVID-19 a staff Wellbeing Croup was setup to co-ordinate our approach to supporting staff in both health and social core settings along with the general public. The group was comprised of colleagues form Local Authority, Public Health , Mental Health Services m Spiritual Care, Occupational Health, Hunan Resources, Acute and Community nursing as well as having staff-side representation.

A range of approaches to promote health and wellbeing and support staff to cope with the social ad emotional impact of the COVID-19 crisis, were made available to health and social care staff in NHS Western Isles and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, In addition to a number of online resources advertised through staff announcements and the staff Facebook site, staff members were also able to make use of 1-1 professional support.

Across NHS Western Isles we developed a range of staff health and wellbeing resources informed from local, national and international sources and collaborations. These resources were updated regularly to ensure that they can be accessed quickly., are relevant and remain accurate. Examples of such resources are the use of Quiet Spaces and Listening Service, Chaplaincy drop-in sessions, Bereavement Support, Psychological First Aid Training, NHS Western Isles COVID-19 Advice Line as well as various Digital Tools to support staff.

These steps taken allowed for the wider staff group to feel connected and supported through this very difficult time, particularly with so much uncertainty around the country. Although this specific Staff Wellbeing Group was created in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the intention is to continue this in a slightly different format ensuring this goof work continues for all staff.