Support for NHS staff struggling with long Covid
Thanks to a new Occupational Therapist role at NHS Grampian, NHS staff have benefitted from mindfulness techniques, support with trauma, and help to develop resilience.
Aberdeen, Scotland
NHS Charities Together funding paid for the Occupational Therapist role.
Jill is an Occupational Therapist at NHS Grampian who supports NHS staff who had been severely impacted by long Covid. She provided support and education with self-management skills to help individuals manage their own symptoms. This enabled them to either return to or remain in their job role within NHS Grampian.
We spoke to Jill about the difference her role has made to her colleagues. She said:
“Long Covid has had a massive impact on staff within NHS Grampian. Some people had a good awareness of how it affected them and the support available to help them. Whilst others required further support and guidance to understand why this was impacting them in the way that it was and what could be done to help. Often not knowing which services were available and which would be best placed to support them was really challenging.
“I was employed as an Occupational Therapist to support staff with their health and wellbeing. Staff were referred to occupational health because of long Covid symptoms. Individuals expressing moderate to severe difficulties were referred to myself.
“No two clients experienced the same symptoms, however they often shared the same impact. They often described a vast array of weird and wonderful symptoms that were very individual to them. Each person benefited from time to tell their story and share their own personal challenges. It was so important that they felt heard and understood and this allowed me to be able to support them in the best way that I could.
“It was really helpful and hugely inspirational to be able to give them that help and support.
“I think it’s been hugely heartwarming and beneficial to see how small changes and small aspects of support and signposting can make massive changes to people’s wellbeing, their health, and their ability to carry on and return to work and face challenges that they thought they wouldn’t be able to.”
Watch the video below to learn more.
