About the Network

The Regional Workforce Wellbeing Network is led by Dr Sarah Meekin, Head of Psychological Services in BHSCT and the majority of the 17 Health and Social Care  organisations in Northern Ireland are represented in this network. At the start of the COVID-19 response this network was tasked with supporting managers and staff with the development and delivery of psychological support services for staff working across Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland. 

Download the Framework Document for Managers

However, as we move through the process of dealing with this pandemic the effects on staff health and wellbeing and their families are becoming increasingly apparent. In order to effectively support staff wellbeing in HSC, it is necessary to build on the work of the Regional Workforce Wellbeing Network and to share our expertise and resources.  

The importance of HSC staff health and wellbeing has long been noted – it is implicated in issues of recruitment, retention, absenteeism and presenteeism. Most importantly, both staff safety and staff wellbeing have clear implications for patient care and patient experience.

The Covid-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented stress on our HSC staff across all organisations, as they faced the huge challenges within the work environment and within the community.  These work challenges include, working in PPE, working in new environments due to redeployment, workload pressures affecting their care of patients. Restrictions on family contact for patients and concern for patients not able to access their normal care has added to the pressure on staff.  In addition, frontline staff have faced major concerns for their personal safety and that of their families. 

HSC is trying to resume access to normal services, whilst still dealing with the pandemic and this places substantial additional burdens on staff. Rebuilding and restarting services is important for population wellbeing, but alongside this task there is an imperative to ensure that HSC staff are given opportunities, time and resources to recover from the challenges of dealing with the pandemic. 

Helplines

HSC organisations have made access to staff helplines and resources available to colleagues in independent sector and primary care and first response organisations. The Workforce Wellbeing Network will continue with a mandate to progress and support the development and delivery of staff psychological supports and wellbeing initiatives and services post covid-19.

All Psychology Helplines are open to staff from within the Trust, local GP practices, and Independent Care Providers.

While all NIAS Occupational Health Services are provided from BHSCT, each Trust has agreed that local NIAS staff can also avail of the local Trust helpline.

• Northern HSC Trust
  028 9441 3644 - Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm
• South Eastern HSC Trust
  028 9250 1332 - Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm
• Southern HSC Trust
  028 3756 2600 - Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm
• Western HSC Trust
  028 7161 1281 - Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm
• Belfast HSC Trust
  028 9615 1888 - Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm

Any staff working in a HSC organisation with access to the Inspire Employee Assistant Programme can contact Inspire 24/7 via their Helpline on 0808 800 0002 for telephone support or referral into structured telephone video e-counselling.

Anyone who is in crisis and experiencing distress or despair can call the Northern Ireland crisis response helpline Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.

Recovery Toolkit

A Recovery Toolkit for staff has recently been developed, in partnership with HSCQI, to ensure this is prioritised within organisations and also to help teams to have conversations about their needs moving forward.