The health and wellbeing of doctors fighting COVID-19 is of paramount importance.
Dukes’ Keeping Well podcasts
The Dukes’ Club have released a series of short ‘sound bite’ podcasts to help promote wellness and prevent burnout during this time.
General
- Support to NHS Staff:
- Support line: call 0300 131 7000 7am-11pm 7 days a week or text NHSPH to 85258 24/7
- Wellbeing apps offering free NHS access: SilverCloud, Unmind, Headspace, Sleepio, Daylight
Debriefing
Senior trainees and consultants may want to introduce debriefing at the end of shifts or difficult cases. See below:
Regional support for trainees
- England: Trainee Doctors & Dentist Support Service
- Northern Ireland: Professional Support Unit
- Scotland: Professional Support Unit
- Wales: Professional Support Unit
- Ireland: Health Service Executive Workplace and Wellbeing Unit
Support and resources from colleges
- Anti-bullying and undermining campaign: RCSEd have produced a range of resources which may be useful in stressful circumstances including negotiation, self-reflection and how to manage negotiation
- Non-technical skills for surgeons: RCSEd developed these learning resources for use intra-operatively, these skills are transferrable to a range of clinical situations.
- Confidential support and advice service for surgeons: RCSEng offers a confidential support and advice service in order to support surgeons in difficulty
- Mentorship and buddy scheme: Support for RCPGS members from other members
Independent national resources
- Doctors’ Support Network: A peer support resource for doctors with mental health concerns in the UK
- DocHealth: A non-profit psychotherapy service for doctors, charged by grade and situation in the UK
- BMA Wellbeing support services: Offer 24/7 counselling and peer support services to all doctors in the UK
- The Sick Doctors’ Trust: Support for doctors concerned about their drug or alcohol use in the UK.
- Practitioner Health: Provides professional support for doctors with mental health, burnout or substance misuse concerns in Ireland
- The Royal Medical Benevolent Fund: A charity providing financial advice and support for doctors
Other useful resources
- Many apps have extended free NHS access until 31st March 2021 include Daylight, Headspace, Sleepio, Unmind, Liberate & Movement for Modern Life, #StayAlive. Access codes at https://people.nhs.uk/help/support-apps/
- Wellbeing Resource Pack: Intensive Care Society
- Academy of Medical Royal Colleges page on mental health and wellbeing
- Mind the Front Line – A mental health resource for all healthcare workers
- Burnout and surgeons: RCSEng’s article from the Bulletin, May 2019
- NHS Mindfulness: Tips for all on self-assessment, stress management and mindfulness
- HEE MindEd Coronavirus Staff Resilience Hub
- Mindfulness and Relaxation Centre: Based at Beaumont Hospital, they offer a range of free online resources to get you started
- MoodGym: Offers self-help to manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Stress management tips for healthcare workers: Tips to help you control stress before it controls you
- Resources for keeping active