AQO 1493/17-22
Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down
Tabled Date: 21/01/2021
Answered On Date: 01/02/2021
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Health given the impact of working during the COVID-19 pandemic, what action is being taken to support healthcare workers with, or at risk of developing, post traumatic stress disorder.
Answer:
Covid-19 has placed an enormous strain on our Health professionals within all sectors of the health care setting. All Health and Social Care staff have played a vital role in dealing with the additional demands placed on them, and I wish to record my personal thanks for their commitment and dedication, at this difficult time. I know that staff are feeling grief-stricken and sad, vulnerable, exhausted and overwhelmed, and they are worried and anxious for their own health and wellbeing, and for the health and wellbeing of their families, colleagues and patients. These are very real and normal responses to working and living in stressful, challenging and upsetting times, and it is important to provide opportunities for these feelings to be shared and expressed. It is vitally important to ensure that all staff and volunteers, irrespective of where they work, have access to the information and support they may need over the coming months. In situations where specific individual help is needed, this is available through the Occupational Health arrangements in each Trust. I am determined to provide whatever support I can to help people look after their mental health and wellbeing during this difficult time. My Department has worked alongside colleagues in the HSC to coordinate a comprehensive response to the psychological impact of the coronavirus pandemic, both in the immediate and longer term. A Regional Staff Wellbeing Work stream was initiated in response to Covid-19, and has worked closely with colleagues within Mental Health services at the Health and Social Care Board, officials within my Department, and with colleagues in the PHA to build resources and support for staff. In April 2020, I launched “Supporting the Well-being Needs of our Health and Social Care Staff during COVID-19: A Framework for Leaders and Managers”. The measures within the framework include a range of initiatives across organisations, which will support psychological well-being of staff, with an aim to preventing the development of mental health difficulties, including PTSD, in the aftermath of the pandemic, and to allowing early identification and intervention to be available in the aftermath period. All HSC trusts have in place a variety of measures to support staff emotional health and wellbeing. These range from psychological support helplines, reading resources, videos, and mindfulness relaxation exercises, to opportunities to come together as teams, to reflect on the challenges and losses they have experienced, and continue to face, to the potential to seek individual support as required. Guidelines and Frameworks from the Intensive Care Society and the British Psychological Society suggest that it is in the aftermath of all the current challenge that staff will particularly need time to rest, reflect and replenish themselves. For some staff, the availability of psychological therapies will be important and useful. For others, the support of family and the ability to connect and share with colleagues will be what they feel they need. Both options are and will continue to be available, and neither should be seen as more important or valid than the other. It is absolutely vital that the public also play their part in supporting our health service and reducing pressures on its staff through following the public health guidelines.
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