Tag: health and social care staff

Humzah Yousaf’s ‘heartfelt gratitude’ for efforts of health, social care and social work staff

As Scotland faces one of its most challenging winters, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has praised the continued courage, commitment and professionalism of Scotland’s health, social care and social work staff.

In his Christmas message, Mr Yousaf said: “This year has been an incredible race to get ahead of COVID-19 with a vaccination programme which has been the largest logistical peacetime operation Scotland has ever seen.

“As we set our sights on recovery, we have had to adapt and respond to new variants, following guidelines which are constantly updated to take on board the course of this pandemic.

“Every single person working in health, social care and social work has continued to provide exemplary care in the most trying of circumstances, saving lives and protecting our NHS at a high cost both personally and professionally.

“You continue to be extraordinary in your response to unprecedented demands, delivering services in what can often be new and often unfamiliar ways. I have heard directly from some of you about the impact that working in pandemic conditions has had. And I want to sincerely thank you for everything you have done, and continue to do, during this difficult time.

“We will only overcome the challenges ahead if we look after our most valuable asset – the people who provide care through this pandemic. Your wellbeing, wherever you work in the sector, is a key priority.

“Now more than ever, it is critical to look after your wellbeing, and that of your colleagues, and provide support so you can take the time you need to access local and national wellbeing resources available.

“To complement the help that is available to you at a local level, we also have a range of services on hand through the National Wellbeing Hub, including a 24/7 National Wellbeing Helpline, confidential mental health treatment through the Workforce Specialist Service and Coaching for Wellbeing resources.

“I implore you to speak up if you or a colleague need support. You are doing an amazing job, and deserve our help in return.

“The pandemic has been the most significant challenge the NHS has faced in its 73-year history. We know that it is not over, and that the new Omicron variant and other pressures will continue to impact us for some time.

“We hope this Christmas will not be as restrictive as last year, but we’re asking everyone to play their part in helping to suppress the virus by limiting their socialising as much as possible. This is to save lives, and to support all of you in the work that you do. Because we will overcome this virus if we work together and think carefully about how our actions might impact others.

“I want to share my heartfelt gratitude for everything you continue to do in order to support and care for the people of Scotland, and take this opportunity to wish you a happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.”

£8 million package for health and social care workforce wellbeing

An £8 million package to support the wellbeing  of  health and social care staff across Scotland has been announced.

The increased support will help fund a number of immediate recovery actions and lead to the development of a National Wellbeing programme.

The priority areas for action will include the ongoing development of the National Wellbeing Hub, National Wellbeing Helpline, and psychological interventions and therapies for staff.

Coaching for Wellbeing, digital apps and the Workforce Specialist Service for regulated staff will also be provided, along with time and training for  staff to support each other as teams. More practical support for staff like rest spaces will also be provided.

Social care and primary care will be targeted with £2 million of support in recognition of the specific needs of staff working in those services in responding to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “Health and social care staff have responded to the pandemic with extraordinary fortitude, often working in unfamiliar settings, learning new skills and undertaking new roles.  We owe them a great debt of gratitude for their continued hard work, commitment and professionalism.

“We are committed to supporting our NHS and social care staff now and into the future.  The wellbeing of staff remains a critical priority that will influence the way that our health and social services recover.

“We know that the pandemic has affected staff in a range of ways and this £8 million package of support will help us meet the basic practical and emotional needs which workers tell us are right for them, alongside more specialised mental health support where this is needed.

“The crucial frontline role of social work and social care going forward is underlined by the targeted support it will receive as part of this package.”

The package will support staff wherever they work in the system, from acute hospital wards to community settings, supplementing the resources that are in place locally.

British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland chair Lewis Morrison said: “Scotland’s doctors and indeed all NHS staff have been through an incredibly tough time over the course of the pandemic, so extra investment in support for their wellbeing is welcome.

“The BMA have been absolutely clear that NHS recovery won’t be possible unless it goes hand in hand with staff recovery – and this funding is a step towards making that a reality.

“Practical measures like peer support, enabling reflective practice and improved availability and quality of rest spaces are all things the BMA have pushed for and will help staff working incredibly hard on the front line to care for patients. It is vital this is now built on so doctors and their colleagues feel truly valued and get the help they need to do their job effectively and in a caring and supportive environment.”

Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) Chief Executive, Lorraine Gray said:  “Over the last 18 months social care workers have been at the heart of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a vital lifeline for the people they support when normal routines, services and contact with family and friends were severely disrupted. 

“I heartily welcome this new funding for our valued social care workers to make sure they have the resources and practical support they need to take care of themselves and their own wellbeing.”

Key workers: “We’re worth more!”

Ahead of the start of the 124th STUC Annual Conference today, GMB Scotland members from care, nursing, refuse, ambulance, and school support services, will tell Ministers, “We’re worth more!” as they campaign for a rejection of the NHS and COSLA pay offers for 2021.

GMB workplace representatives in NHS Scotland and COSLA are strongly urging members to reject the respective 4 per cent and £800 increases for the lowest paid workers, arguing the Scottish Government can and should go further after the last twelve months.

The union’s consultative ballot in COSLA will run until Thursday 22 April, and until Wednesday 5 May in NHS Scotland.

GMB Scotland Senior Organiser Drew Duffy said: “We were told at the start of the pandemic that Scotland was prepared for COVID-19, but nothing could have been further from the truth.

“Health and social care staff tackled the first wave of COVID-19 without proper PPE, home carers were left without workplace testing until January, and school support staff were an afterthought in the education recovery plan.

“From PPE, testing, sick pay support and socially distanced working arrangements, everything that’s been put in place to protect the workers on which we all depend had to be fought for by the workers’ themselves.

“And after a wretched year and desperate decade, where their modest incomes have been cut by thousands of pounds, our members are prepared to fight again for their proper value, against pay offers that don’t amount to much more than a £10 a week increase for many.

“They’ve heard the applause and they’ve read all the political platitudes, but now they are telling the Scottish Government to listen, and the message is clear: “We’re worth more.”

The continuing safety concerns due to COVID-19 means that the 2021 annual Congress will be held as a digital event.

Delegates from over 50 affiliated unions and trades union councils, as well as the STUC equalities committees, will meet over three days to debate and agree new policies.

We will also hear from sisters and brothers from other Trade Union Centres and from politicians.

The STUC General Council will deliver its report of the past 6 months work.

The digital format of Congress limits some of the things we can do but we still have a busy fringe event as well as expo sessions from our sponsors and supportive organisations.

You can watch the whole of Congress live on Facebook or YouTube!

Roz Foyer, STUC General Secretary

Congress Documents

Fringe meetings

Congress videos

Congress Live

More mental health support for health and social care staff

An additional £500,000 will be made available to health boards this financial year to provide dedicated mental health support for health and social care staff during the (Coronavirus) COVID-19 pandemic. 

Health Boards will be able to immediately recruit psychologists and other staff dedicated to supporting the mental health of the health and social care workforce. This funding will be followed by a further £1 million in each of the next two financial years.

Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey said: “We are doing our best to support health and social care staff, to ensure that they have the resources they require to look after themselves, and that they can get help if necessary.

“We are providing Boards with additional funding via NHS Education for Scotland to deliver a workforce development programme to increase capacity and capability to provide psychological therapies and interventions for health and social care staff if and when they need it.

“We have asked our NHS and social care staff to work through unprecedented times and often in unfamiliar settings. Many have been asked to learn new skills and work in new roles in unfamiliar teams.

“They all, too, have had to adjust to the impact the pandemic has had on our personal lives and communities, including having to care for their own families. This has been, and continues to be a huge ask and we are deeply grateful for the hard work, commitment and professionalism of those working in health and social care, at this time of unprecedented challenge.”

Staff are encouraged to make use of available support that is available through the  National Wellbeing Hub or by calling the 24 Hour Wellbeing Helpline on 0800 111 4191. Since launching, over  64,000 people have used the hub.

Further funding to support the wellbeing of Scotland’s health and social care staff

Additional funding of £500,000 is being allocated to provide practical measures of support for health and social care staff working to tackle the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Following direct feedback from staff, this funding will support local provision of hot drinks and snacks and other measures to aid rest and recuperation during their shifts, which will support their wellbeing and ease some pressures they face at work.

Enhanced wellbeing support services, backed by £5 million, are already in place to support health and social care staff. This includes the National 24 hour helpline, staffed by trained psychological  practitioners, and the National Wellbeing Hub, which is helping staff cope with stress, anxiety and resilience.  

 Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “I have set very clear expectations that all Health Boards should promote both the physical and psychological wellbeing of staff, whether they operate in a hospital or a community setting.

“As we approached this peak of the pandemic, I asked officials to seek feedback from Wellbeing Champions across Scotland on what additional support may benefit staff during this most challenging period.

“I have listened closely to their feedback which has emphasised that little things like access to hot drinks and snacks can mean a lot and go a long way to support staff wellbeing.

“I hope this additional funding will further support Boards and Health and Social Care Partnerships to put in place the extra practical support that can make shifts a little easier for staff.”

Staff can access the 24 hour National Helpline by calling 0800 111 4191.