Research into fatigue at work and rest facilities
A pilot project supported by Newcastle Hospitals Charity is carrying out research into fatigue at work and providing rest facilities.
The Charity, in collaboration with the Trust, which is signed up to the national Fight Fatigue Campaign, secured funding for the project from the NHS Charities Together COVID-19 grant scheme.
Dr Nancy Redfern, Consultant Anaesthetist in Peri-operative and Critical Care RVI is co-chair of the national Joint National Fatigue Working Group, is leading the pilot project, which focuses on teams in the hospital’s labour ward. The Charity has funded sofas for all staff groups to take a break during their night shifts and the Health Foundation funds the research.
The aim of the project is to support colleagues to learn the basics of sleep physiology and to provide them with the rest facilities they need to look after themselves during night shifts. Fatigue affects everyone who works nights, and the Trust is planning to do more work, empowering teams to develop their own ways of managing night shift fatigue.
Dr Redfern, said: “The aim is to support colleagues to learn the basics of sleep physiology and to provide them with the rest facilities they need to look after themselves during night shifts. Whilst we know there are different pressures across specialities, thanks to the project we have a methodology to support our colleagues across the Trust with fatigue at work.”
Fatigue affects everyone who works nights, and the Trust is planning to do more work, empowering teams to develop their own ways of managing night shift fatigue.
Recovery and resilience
Critical care and emergency department colleagues at Newcastle Hospitals who cared for critically ill patients during the COVID-19 pandemic are being supported with their wellbeing and recovery as well as future proofing resilience in a year-long project.
The project aims to support approximately 500 staff working in Adult Critical Care and Emergency Dept at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) to recover well, with a particular focus on their morale and wellbeing. It also aims to improve patient, carer and staff experience in the long term for those working within and being cared for by these teams.
It is funded by donations to Newcastle Hospitals Charity from patients who have received care on the critical care wards and their families, and the NHS Charities Together COVID-19 Urgent Appeal.
Dr Sarah Platt, one of two clinical leads for adult critical care at the RVI, said: “Our project is focussed on “psychological safety” – achieving optimum performance, engagement and wellbeing by creating a working environment that allows people to thrive. It is very much looking at making patient care and outcomes better, with the added important factor of improved staff wellbeing and satisfaction.”
She added: “It is thanks to the generosity and altruism of our patients and families who have donated and made this possible.”
Live ‘webinar’ with motivational speaker Steve Head.
All staff have been given the opportunity to watch a series of workshops led by motivational speaker Steve Head designed to offer tools and practical ways of thinking to help them cope with the emotional and logistical challenges that COVID-19 has created.
The programme has bbeen delivered by Steve Head, a full-time speaker, inspirational trainer, coach and author.
Over the past 19 years, Steve Head has delivered in excess of 2500 sessions in the UK and Europe to help organisations, teams and individuals deliver sustained personal, team and business success. He is now one of the most sought after speakers in the UK with Audiences experiencing fast paced interactive and practical sessions.
Steve is described by his clients as a dynamic speaker with ‘practical ideas that simply work’, with 65% of his work involving NHS clients. His corporate clients include Santander, Skanska, St James Place and Virgin Media. Steve also coaches a number of executive team members to enhance personal impact, he is also a coach to the England Wheelchair Rugby League Squad and has also coached on BBCs Strictly Come Dancing.
Festive Illuminations
Festive illumations brought light to Newcastle Hospitals for advent bringing patients, families, carers and staff some much needed brightness during these challenging times.
Dame Jackie Daniel, Chief Executive of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, switched on the lights virtually in the Trust’s Virtual Advent Calendar.
The festive Illuminations in the Atrium Courtyard at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and the Renal Courtyard at the Freeman Hospital were funded by supporters of Newcastle Hospitals Charity and NHS Charities Together for the first time in recognition of a year like no other for the patients and staff of Newcastle Hospitals.
