COVID-19: Health and care staff wellbeing

Supporting your wellbeing

• NHS Staff FRONTLINE phone and text line
  Mental health support for NHS staff. Phone lines are open between 7am and 11pm every day, alongside a 24/7 text service. Phone 0300 131 7000 or text FRONTLINE to 85258.
   
• How are you feeling today? – NHS Employers
  A toolkit to assist in checking your own emotional wellbeing or supporting colleagues.
   
• Covid-19 Workforce Wellbeing – NHS Practitioner Health
  Help, advice, resources and signposting for NHS staff, including podcasts, webinars and links to support services.
   
• Workforce COVID-19 guidance for clinicians - Royal College of Psychiatrists
  Guidance aiming to provide the latest updates and advice to help manage teams, support colleagues and get the support that you need.
   
• The psychological needs of healthcare staff as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic - British Psychological Society
  Guidance from the British Psychological Society on managing and supporting staff and colleagues through the COVID-19 pandemic. Includes a useful table outlining the different psychological stages that individuals and teams will likely go through during the crisis.
   
• Free access to wellbeing apps for all NHS staff – NHS Employers
  Includes how to access apps including Unmind, Headspace, Sleepio and Daylight for free as a member of the NHS workforce.
   
• Mental health and wellbeing resource – Royal College of Physicians
  Online resource page with tools to assist the physician workforce to remain aware of their mental health and wellbeing needs during these challenging times.
   

• COVID-19 Psychological Wellbeing in Healthcare Workers – University of Nottingham
  This package has been developed by Holly Blake and Fiona Bermingham, with technical support from the University of Nottingham Digital Marketing Team. It is designed to support as many people as possible during and after the pandemic. The package is therefore free to use, and open access.
   

• Five ways to wellbeing – Queen’s Nursing Institute
  Practical steps and advice for boosting wellbeing.
   
• Guidance for the public on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus (COVID-19) – Public Health England
  Frequently updated guide from Public Health England providing advice to members of the public on how to look after mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
   
• Every Mind Matters – Public Health England
  Easy-to-read information on managing mental wellbeing, anxiety, sleep, stress and low mood.
   
• Mental health and wellbeing - NHS
  Self-assessment, audio guides and resources for anyone who is stressed, anxious or depressed, or just wants to feel happier.
   
• Living with worry and anxiety amidst global uncertainty - Psychology Tools
  A free-to-share guide which breaks down what worry and anxiety are and how to make sense of and deal with these feelings.
   
• Supporting our people - NHS People
  Helping you manage your own health and wellbeing while looking after others. Featuring guides, quick reference tools, pathways, and signposting to other sources of support and information.

Reports and statistics

• Through the visor: Reflecting on member experiences of the COVID-19 first wavs - BGS
  This report summarises the findings of a BGS member survey describing the experiences of working through the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. With respondents representing over twenty different professions working in acute, community and primary care, it is believed to be the only survey capturing the full breadth of multidisciplinary health professionals’ experiences caring for older people across the four nations.
   
• COVID-19 and the female health and care workforce - Health & Care Women Leaders Network (NHS Confederation)
  This report describes the, struggles, pain and fears women working in health and care services have faced during the pandemic. The physical and emotional impact due to caring responsibilities both in and outside of work are significant. It also draws out some of the positive experiences, such as opportunities for learning and the strength of support many have received from their managers.
   
• Moral distress in the NHS and other organisations - British Medical Association (BMA)
  This briefing and survey summary from the British Medical Association (BMA) explores the moral distress in doctors that has been compounded by COVID - and how not being able to provide sufficient quality of care can have a negative impact on healthcare staff.
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How can BGS help you?
If you have any ideas, tips or suggestions about how you would like BGS to support you during this time, you are welcome use the form below to get in touch.