Sherwood Forest Hospitals award finalist for wellbeing help during pandemic

The trust, which runs King’s Mill and Mansfield Community Hospitals, was a finalist in the HSJ Patient Safety Awards,’ in its Mental Health Initiative of the Year category.

The winners and runners-up were announced in a glittering ceremony at Manchester Central, on Monday, September 20.

The trust was recognised for its ‘People First: supporting colleagues to support others’ scheme, an academic partnership between Nottingham Trent University and the Sherwood Forest hospitals.

The project offered a well-being support package for those working in health and care across Nottinghamshire, which was backed up by academic research. The support package helped meet the “evolving needs” of people, during the changes and pressures of Covid waves and lockdowns.

The project offered general advice, as well as specific support and information for those with children, those who may have been impacted due to the virus, and for people working from home or deployed in other areas.

The service has been accessed thousands of times and is still used. Its tools include webinars by a clinical psychology team, advice, 24/7 helplines, counselling and therapy sessions, as well as confidential support.

One of its most successful initiatives was its ‘decompression and learning’ sessions’ providing a ‘safe space’ for staff to discuss the impact of Covid on themselves, families and the organisation. More than 30 team focus groups were held, with more than 600 participants.

Ceri Feltbower, associate director of improvement at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, who led the project at the trust, said: “I am delighted that this very special programme of work has been recognised in this year’s HSJ Patient Safety Awards. It has been a huge privilege for everyone involved to co-design and deliver this special and person-centred well-being offer to our colleagues during a difficult and worrying time.”

Dr Maria Karanika-Murray, associate professor in occupational health psychology at Nottingham Trent University said: “It is wonderful to see such needed change being driven with a clear purpose and strong competence within Sherwood Forest Hospitals. This is a learning organisation that cares deeply for its colleagues and patients.”

The trust came runner-up in the category.

Support your Chad by becoming a digital subscriber. You will see 70 per cent fewer ads on stories, meaning faster load times and an overall enhanced user experience. Click here to subscribe.