Hywel Dda University Health Board

The Covid-19: Are You OK? Pledge

Hywel Dda University Health Board, which covers Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire in mid and south west Wales, supports the principles of the Nursing Times Covid-19: Are You OK? campaign.

This means we recognise the often-distressing nature of caring for patients with Covid-19, particularly when patients numbers are high and resources are stretched. We also recognise the potential negative impact on the mental health and wellbeing of nurses and other staff of working through the coronavirus pandemic, and are committed to providing support to those who are affected. We also recognise that the effects of this work may be delayed and/or enduring and will ensure support remains available after the crisis has passed.

In supporting the campaign we pledge to:

• Provide easily accessible formal mental health and wellbeing support to staff for as long as it is needed;
• Foster a culture of mutual support, in which staff are alert to the possibility that colleagues may be experiencing problems as a result of their work during the pandemic, and ready to offer informal support such as listening and signposting to internal or external sources of formal support;
• Ensure that staff who are experiencing problems know that they will receive a positive, supportive response if they disclose problems, and understand that being asked ‘Are you OK?’ is a gesture of support and care, not an accusation of weakness.

We have already taken steps to protect staff mental health and wellbeing including:

• A rapid access and response service by our in-house Staff Psychological Wellbeing Team
• A 24/7 accessible Employee Assistance Programme
• Virtual Listening Spaces where colleagues can come together
• Bereavement support services for personal and professional grief and loss
• Coaching provision for our front line nurse leaders
• Training in clinical supervision for over 180 nurses

Staff are the heart of our organisation; you have ensured the NHS was not overwhelmed in the initial peak – often at great personal cost, and continue to provide excellent and compassionate care to patients and their families. It is our responsibility to care for you, and to ensure that you are more than OK.

Mandy Rayani, director of nursing, quality and patient experience at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “The past 12 months have without doubt been exceptionally challenging, but I am immensely proud of the way our nurses have gone above and beyond.

“Their commitment, professionalism, and compassion has played a major part in our efforts to tackle the spread of coronavirus and help keep our communities safe. This campaign rightly recognises the immense impact placed on those caring for patients with COVID-19. Hywel Dda University Health Board will continue to do all it can to support the health and wellbeing of our staff.”

• Click here to read about our Covid-19: Are You OK? campaign