Workforce

Supporting the wellbeing and mental health of staff in primary care - guidance for staff and managers

This guidance been developed to support the wellbeing and mental health of staff working Primary Care across the South East Region. 

Bereavement Support

Recognising that it is an incredibly tough time for many of us at the moment, we have put together a suite of bereavement resources that aim to help NHS staff access support during what will be a difficult time, given the restrictions and changes to normal grieving patterns and processes for staff who come from diverse backgrounds. You can find a selection of resources that will support you during a bereavement, be that practical next steps to take as a line manager or confidential bereavement support staffed by a team of specialists. You can access the bereavement support online or call the confidential bereavement support line, operated by Hospice UK, on 0300 303 4434, free to access from 8am – 8pm, seven days a week.

There is also specific resources and guidance to help you navigate leading your teams in the wake of grief ( SEHWB Covid leading during bereavement document )
 

Pastoral Support

NHS Practitioner Health, provide a free, confidential NHS service for doctors and dentists across England with mental illness and addiction problems. For information on the resources they have gathered to support doctors, particularly during these times of Covid-19, please click here
 

Easter Bank Holiday Working

The latest  GP Preparedness letter from NHSE  that came out last Friday, 27th March contained information about the fact that emergency changes have been introduced to the GMS contract that mandate that Good Friday and Easter Monday are to be regarded as normal working days. For further information please click HERE
 

Employer Guide to Coronavirus

For legal advice on business disruption, absences, travel plans, school closures of contingency plans/workforce planning please click HERE to see the Guide produce by Clarkson Wright & Jakes
 

BAME and Covid-19

Emerging data indicates that people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds are being disproportionally affected by Covid19. NHS England is working with Leicester University to develop practical tools and guidance to support BAME colleagues during the pandemic. In advance of these being published practices are recommended to risk assess staff at potentially greater risk and make appropriate arrangements to protect members of the team as appropriate. Colleagues may find the BAME Risk Assessment Form from Team Prevent helpful in this this task.
 

Key Worker letter

It is possible that practice staff will be stopped by police as they check whether people have a reason not to stay at home. We have prepared a draft template letter with the CCG that you can issue to staff. It explains the bearer of the letter is a key worker and therefore has permission to travel. Practice letter template for keyworkers
 

Occupational Health Guidance

The BMA have produced guidance on occupational health issues during the covid pandemic: 
Occupational Health in the NHS: Covid 19 BMA Guidance March 2020
 

Recuitment Checks During Covid-19

CQC advice regarding recruitment checks during Covid-19 emergency  
 

Retired GP Returning to Practice

Please click HERE for advice and guidance on retired GPs returning to practice during Covid-19 in relation to the General Medical Council (GMC), National Performers List (NPL), Training & Support, DBS and Contracts.
 

How to Improve your Resilience during this difficult time  

Click HERE to access the Resilience toolkit from Beyond Coaching.