Trust gets £121,000 to help workers beat stress
STAFF working at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust have received a big boost for their psychological support services thanks to a grant from NHS Charities Together for Stockport NHS Charity.
The trust, which runs Stepping Hill Hospital and community services across Stockport, will benefit from a grant of £121,000 to support staff emotional wellbeing in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The NHS is always a high pressured environment for those who work in it, but the pandemic of the previous year has been unprecedented in adding to these pressures.
Staff have faced immense challenges in the volume and the nature of their work, being redeployed to new areas, dealing with frightened patients and families, on top of the wider changes to life such as shielding, worrying about their own loved ones and limited relaxation and leisure.
Research shows many NHS staff are experiencing stress, anxiety and post-traumatic symptoms due to this.
As well as Covid-19, services are working hard to cope with backlogs to care which had to be delayed, so pressure continues to be very high.
Grateful members of the public have recognised the impact of Covid-19 and have been generous in their support for charities helping to support health and wellbeing.
NHS Charities Together is an independent national charity partner of the NHS; an umbrella organisation made up of 241 member charities, including Stockport NHS Charity.
They fund projects that improve services for patients and help NHS staff and volunteers both practically and emotionally so they can continue with their vital, life-saving work.
Funds used for the grant were raised and donated nationwide to NHS Charities Together throughout the pandemic last year.
The grant will be used to fund support from a clinical psychologist and mental health practitioner for 18 months.
Alongside other services like the Greater Manchester Resilience Hub, these staff will be able to offer psychological support, training and signposting across hospital and community services within the Trust, to promote recovery and wellbeing.
Jo Black, a clinical psychologist involved in setting up the service and supporting trust staff in recent months, says: “Covid-19 has raised awareness of how important it is to look after staff emotional wellbeing.
“Staff are the heart and soul of the NHS, and high quality patient care relies on their health and wellbeing.
“Colleagues across Stockport NHS Foundation Trust at all levels have dealt with incredible pressure and change, and have done a phenomenal job in very difficult circumstances.
“They really need and deserve support, and we are so delighted that this grant will allow us to increase what we can currently offer to our colleagues.”