University aids NHS staff to cope with challenges of virus deaths
A YORKSHIRE university is offering free online training to underpressure health care workers in the region to help them deal with the challenges of the coronavirus outbreak.
Staff in South Yorkshire are being offered training in end-of-life care by Sheffield Hallam University.
Support has already been given to Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH), to train up health care workers in the key elements of end-of-life care.
The aim is to help support coronavirus victims and their families, with sessions set to be rolled out across wider local NHS trusts.
Rachel Millard, RDaSH’s deputy director of nursing, said: “Dealing with the coronavirus is tough for everyone.
“Refreshing existing knowledge
Deputy director of nursing said refreshing existing knowledge was vital.
is vital but obviously can’t be carried out via the traditional training route in a classroom setting”.
The training is led by Sheffield Hallam’s palliative care education team online via live Zoom webinars.
It focuses on identifying key basic skills while minimising anxiety, to help build confidence amongst staff and reduce the likelihood of contradictory information being shared.
With the Government advice regularly changing and being updated, the training is adapted on a week-by-week basis to reflect latest guidance.
Dr Julie Skilbeck, a senior lecturer in Nursing from Sheffield Hallam, said: “The outbreak of Covid-19 has meant that many health care colleagues in our region are now having to care for service users, and their families, who are dying as a result of the virus.
“End-of-life care has never been more critical; now more than ever staff need to be prepared to provide compassionate and dignified palliative care during the pandemic.”
Dr Skilbeck said during interactive online conversations with colleagues, many sensitive and challenging topics have been raised, in particular how to talk to patients and their families when breaking bad news.
BRITAIN’S LARGEST rail franchise is using disinfectant which it claims will kill coronavirus on surfaces for up to 30 days.
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which operates services across south-east England, said its trains, stations and staff areas have been treated with the powerful chemicals.
The firm pledged to apply the product every three weeks to ensure its effectiveness.
Staff are using electrostatic spray guns, which were used at the NHS Nightingale hospitals, to apply the disinfectant.
This is in addition to the daily use of anti-viral cleaning products which last for 24 hours.
GTR has 2,700 train carriages across Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express services. Public transport operators have stepped up their hygiene regimes.