Cornwall NHS staff to get more support for wellbeing and pandemic recovery
It will include green space, cold water swimming and trauma training
NHS staff in Cornwall are going to get additional resources and support for their wellbeing and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Those within the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust will benefit from green space, cold water swimming and trauma training, thanks to funding from NHS Charities Together.
Karen Murrish, Fundraising Manager at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity, said: “Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity are delighted to announce that, as a member charity of NHS Charities Together, we have been successful in a bid for grant funds of £142,000. These funds will support the wider work of the Occupational Health and Wellbeing Team at RCHT as they continue to provide vital support to our teams at what continues to be a very challenging time."
The funding from NHS Charities Together originated from the national charity’s Covid-19 Urgent Appeal, which saw an incredible response from the public and of course the immense fundraising contribution of the late Captain Sir Tom Moore.
Plans are now in place for the funding to be used over the next two years.
It will include several different projects:
Placing importance on the creation and protection of outside space for staff, an additional staff garden is planned for Royal Cornwall Hospital as well as a number of ‘green spots’ to provide a network of outside spaces for rest and wellbeing. The creation of walking route resources and the addition of outside exercise equipment on all three sites are also planned.
The provision of training to bolster the ability of RCHT staff to cope in challenging and traumatic circumstances.
Also, with an emphasis on staff mental health and wellbeing, the provision of additional training opportunities for Mental Health First Aiders, funding for cold water swimming courses, surf and music therapy as alternative approaches to tackle the common issues for staff of stress and anxiety, which can ultimately lead to staff absence.
Anna Dalziel, Head of Occupational Health and Wellbeing at Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, said: “We are delighted to have received this funding to enable us to go further with our support to more of our workforce. The importance of providing environments for staff to take effective breaks has become increasingly clear through the pandemic and these additional green spaces will be so important. We know the effects, of what is now a prolonged response to the challenges of the pandemic, are likely to be long lasting. This funding will allow us to increase the positive impact we can have on the mental health and wellbeing of more of our staff through some innovative approaches which we have already seen to have great effect.
“All of our interventions are designed to give our staff the tools and skills to develop new strategies with coping with poor mental health and allow them to sustain for life without need for further intervention."
Karen Murrish added: “We are so thankful to NHS Charities Together and to every fundraiser and donor who have made this funding possible. The response of the public has been a great support to NHS teams across the country, and their donations and messages of support have been overwhelming."
Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive at NHS Charities Together, said: “As the national, independent charity caring for the NHS, we were delighted to work with Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity to make these projects possible. NHS staff continue to be under immense strain and initiatives like these are vital to support their mental health and wellbeing.
“Thanks to the incredible support from the public for our Covid-19 Urgent Appeal, our grants funding is helping make a much-needed difference to the NHS during the most challenging time its history. We look forward to continuing our work with Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity and other organisations across the UK to help our health service go further for everyone.”