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‘FACE COVID’ is a set of practical steps for responding effectively to the Corona crisis, using the principles of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

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NHS resources related to COVID-19 and well being

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NHS resources related to COVID-19 and well being

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Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. We have expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and well being.

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Feeling stressed, anxious, low or struggling to sleep? Every Mind Matters can help with expert advice, practical tips and personalised actions to help stay on top of your mental wellbeing.

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Cardiff University's Counselling, Health and Wellbeing Services have compiled some information that is intended to help you improve your wellbeing and mental health. They have also produced some specific information on how to cope with the uncertainty of the global situation with COVID-19. In addition to this, if you would like to access Online Counselling and Wellbeing Support, they have included a link to their brief online referral form in the document attached here.

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Intensive Care Society: Wellbeing Resource Library

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Intensive Care Society: Wellbeing Resource Library

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Stepiau is a service developed by the Primary Mental Health Support Service (PMHSS) for Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

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Stepiau is a service developed by the Primary Mental Health Support Service (PMHSS) for Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

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A local resource for those living in the Cardiff and Vale University Heath Board area

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Please be aware that due to the current situation in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) all face to face open access groups such as Stress Control and ACT-ion for Living, and referral groups such as Living Life to the Full are now suspended until further notice, however there are online alternatives - please see the corresponding pages for details. For more information and resources please see www.stepiau.org/covid-19

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Please be aware that due to the current situation in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) all face to face open access groups such as Stress Control and ACT-ion for Living, and referral groups such as Living Life to the Full are now suspended until further notice, however there are online alternatives - please see the corresponding pages for details.

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Free 6 month subscriptions with no obligation to renew to healthcare staff that are having to work within the COVID19 outbreak. Staff/students should send an email to:  care@tenpercent.com and they’ll receive a link to claim the offer.

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Staff working in the NHS will get three months access to Headspace app (Android and Apple) for free.  Students should send an email to health@headspace.com
to receive a link

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COVID-19: working within the limits of your competence

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COVID-19: working within the limits of your competence

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The coronavirus pandemic means nurses are working in exceptional circumstances - but always ensure you practise at the right level for your skills and experience

These are unprecedented times for us as a country, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread.

Never before in peacetime has the UK population faced such drastic changes to the way we lead our lives.

Business is anything but usual and nurses will have to call on all their emotional and physical reserves as they navigate these testing times.

Nursing and midwifery staff working in 'unfamiliar circumstances'

Earlier this month, the chief nursing officers of the four UK countries issued a joint letter to nursing and midwifery staff across the UK.

The letter - which was also signed by the chief executives of the RCN, Royal College of Midwives and the Nursing and Midwifery Council, as well as the chair of the Council of Deans of Health - thanked staff for all their hard work during the coronavirus outbreak.

It said that health and care professional will need to be flexible, which 'may entail working in unfamiliar circumstances or surroundings or working in clinical areas outside of their usual practice for the benefit of patients, individuals and the population as a whole'.

'It is important to remember that you cannot make rational decisions if you are not looking after your own needs, so it is imperative that you keep your blood sugar levels up, stay hydrated and get some rest'

The letter acknowledged that this could be stressful for staff, who may have concerns about the professional practicalities and implications of working in such circumstances.

So how can you protect yourself professionally in the weeks and months ahead?

Professional judgement plays a part when varying your practice

Regardless of the situation, registered nurses must practice according to the NMC code, section 13 of which states you must 'recognise and work within the limits of your competence'.

While this still applies during the current pandemic, the joint letter from nurse leaders recognises that this is an 'abnormal emergency situation' and asks nursing and midwifery staff to use their 'professional judgement to assess risk and to make sure people receive safe care'.

It adds that adopting a rational approach to varying practice in an emergency is part of that professional response.

Working within the limits of your competence is an important aspect of maintaining patient safety. Although you want to help as much as you can, this is not the time to put yourself or your patients at risk.

'Saying no is never easy, especially when you and your colleagues are under so much pressure, but apologising for a mistake is even harder'

You will need to be able to assess, most likely quickly, whether you are competent and qualified to take on additional tasks or work in a different clinical area.

Despite the gravity of the situation, do not be afraid to ask for help if requested to carry out any action or procedure that is beyond the limits of your competence. Not only is this vital for patient safety, it is your professional duty under the Code.

Practising within your competence: a checklist for nurses

When asked to take on a task or work in a clinical area outside of your usual practice, the following checklist may help you decide how to proceed.

Situation: Do you understand what is being asked of you and why? Nursing is no longer a task-orientated profession and to practise safely you must be able to explain the rationale behind your actions, omissions and delegations

Environment: Do you know where to find everything you need, such as equipment and paperwork? Do you know which team you are working with and who the nurse in charge is?

Level of care: What level of care will you be expected to provide? Do you have any experience caring for patients with these types of conditions?

Knowledge and experience: Have you been adequately trained and assessed as competent to carry out the tasks you are being asked to perform, or to work in a particular area of practice? You may have witnessed colleagues undertaking elements of advanced practice, for example, but you are not competent to do so unless you have passed competency-based training programmes in these areas

Don't neglect health and safety - your patients' and your own

It is important to remember that you cannot make rational decisions if you are not looking after your own needs, so it is imperative that you keep your blood sugar levels up, stay hydrated and get some rest.

Your employer also has a legal responsibility regarding your health and safety, so make sure that you document and report any concerns. Saying no is never easy, especially when you and your colleagues are under so much pressure, but apologising for a mistake is even harder.

During these testing times, it's important to try to keep as calm as possible and avoid getting defensive or apologising excessively.

Tensions will be running high as staff try to cope with COVID-19, but the pandemic is not your fault and you cannot fix things single-handedly. What you can do is continue to care for your patients as safely and effectively as possible, while not neglecting your own health and well-being.

Stay safe everyone.
View our COVID-19 resources Mandy Day-Calder is a life/health coach with a nursing background. She runs a healthcare training company
RCNi Nursing Careers and Jobs Fairs

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Find out more at www.rcnbulletinjobs.co.uk

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COVID-19: working within the limits of your competence

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The coronavirus pandemic means nurses are working in exceptional circumstances - but always ensure you practise at the right level for your skills and experience These are unprecedented times for us as a country, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread.

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Sleepio                  (developed by Big Health)

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Sleepio                  (developed by Big Health)

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Sleepio is a clinically-evidenced sleep improvement programme that is fully automated and highly personalised, using cognitive behavioural techniques to help improve poor sleep.

Free access to Sleepio is active now until 31 December 2020. It is available to staff working in the NHS who do not currently have an NHS email address, such as students.

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Daylight                (developed by Big Health)

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Daylight                (developed by Big Health)

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Daylight is a smartphone-based app that provides help to people experiencing symptoms of worry and anxiety, using evidence-based cognitive behavioural techniques, voice, and animation.
Free access to Daylight is active now until 31 December 2020. It is available to staff working in the NHS who do not currently have an NHS email address, such as students.

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This is a PDF version of the lecture delivered by Dean Whybrow which accompanies this Padlet resource

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Health for Health Professionals Wales is a free, confidential service now available to all Health Professionals and Healthcare Students working in NHS Wales.

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Welcome to Health For Health Professionals Wales

Health for Health Professionals Wales is a free, confidential service now available to all Health Professionals and Healthcare Students working in NHS Wales.

HHP Wales offers a free, confidential service that provides you with access to various levels of support. To borrow money, even with bad credit, visit WageDayAdvance.co.uk. You can borrow up to £5,000.

Self-help, Guided self-help, Peer support and Virtual face to face therapies with accredited specialists.

To access our Guided self-help, Peer support and Virtual face to face services contact our helpline. This can be done in one of 3 ways, either by using the referral form (click here), by calling 0800 058 2738 or emailing HHPCOVID19@cf.ac.uk.

The helpline will get back to you within 24 hours and will make arrangements for you to speak to one of our doctor advisors who will talk you through your options for ongoing therapies and support. This is a free service.

If you are working in NHS England please click to access NHS Practitioner Health Services

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Health for Health Professionals Wales is a free, confidential service now available to all Health Professionals and Healthcare Students working in NHS Wales. HHP Wales offers a free, confidential service that provides you with access to various levels of support. To borrow money, even with bad credit, visit WageDayAdvance.co.uk.