UHSussex takes positive action on health and wellbeing.
Our staff are our greatest asset. They work tirelessly to provide compassionate, professional, respectful and inclusive care – putting our patients’ first. We care for our staff so they can continue to provide outstanding care to our patients.
Quicklinks
Mental and emotional wellbeing
Please note that some links may only open on devices connected to the NHS network. If you have any questions about support and activities available please contact: uhsussex.staffhealth@nhs.net
Wellbeing webinars
Make your wellbeing a priority – if you missed our live wellbeing webinars then there’s still chance to listen back. The content is timely and engaging and offers a great opportunity to learn and reset after a challenging year. The webinars were funded by our Trust charities based on a grant awarded from NHS Charities Together for recovery post-Covid.
The webinars are:
- Leading Wellbeing
- Relaxation
- Energy – prioritising your wellbeing
The sessions last 60 minutes and can be watched via your media player by clicking the links above or accessed via Iris.
Email Divya.beri@nhs.net with any queries.
Counselling
Chaplaincy
Our Chaplains are always happy to listen and are available to speak individually or signpost you to other services or agencies. Responsible for the spiritual and religious care of patients and staff, of all faiths and beliefs, or none. If you or one of your patients, or their relatives would value a listening ear please contact us:
Call St.Richard’s hospital ext. 35380; Worthing hospital ext..84004; Royal Sussex County site ext.4122; Princess Royal hospital ext.8232 or email uhsussex.chaplaincy@nhs.net.
Freedom to speak up guardian
The Freedom to Speak Up Guardian is here to give you support and advice if you are worried about something you think may affect the quality or safety of patient care or is a risk to our Trust. You will get advice on how to raise your concern effectively and guidance for how our policy and process works for raising concerns. You can talk with them in confidence, and they are able to provide personal support through the process if you encounter difficulties with speaking up about patient safety, care and risk. If you need help, support or guidance then email uhsussex.freedomtospeakup@nhs.net or contact our Freedom to Speak Up Guardian at shaun.butler3@nhs.net, or call 07387259307 or ext. 62870.
Library services
The Library have a huge selection of rich resources to support your mental wellbeing and resilience and have put together a book collection based on just this. View the collection for more information.
You can also access more resources from the Health Sciences Library, Worthing Hospital: uhsussex.library@nhs.net, ext. 85025 and Dunhill Library, St Richards Hospital: uhsussex.dunhill.library@nhs.net / 32733.
Listening services
NHS links
Schwartz Rounds/Team Time
Weekly support groups for nurses with long COVID and/or shielding nurses
CHSA, a subsidiary of the RCN have teamed up with Doctors in Distress to offer a programme of free group support sessions for nurses and allied healthcare workers (incl. Nurses, Midwives, Health Visitors, Health Care Assistants, Physiotherapists & Occupational Therapists) who have been suffering with Long COVID or have been shielding due to COVID19.
Become a UHSussex Green Ambassador
Green Ambassadors is a new staff network for colleagues who are passionate about environmental sustainability and who want to share ideas, innovate and champion improvements in their teams. You can hear updates about local and national initiatives, get into contact with likeminded colleagues and departmental groups. There is also a focus on nature and wellbeing in terms of improving and promoting green spaces and active travel.
There’s no minimum time commitment and the aims are:
- to get everyone involved in the environmental strategy at the Trust
- create more sustainable clinical pathways
- work towards the wider NHS aim of getting to net-zero carbon by 2040.
To join or find out more, email uhsussex.green@nhs.net or check out Environment Week – UHSussex Intranet
Wellbeing e-learning resources
Available on iris or on staff-net:
Wellbeing hubs
Coming soon! Wellbeing hubs will be opening at RSCH, PRH, Worthing and St Richard’s soon. Pop in for a cup of tea, try your hand at a decompression activity and enjoy a massage. Look out for more details.
Physical wellbeing
Free health checks
As part of our health and wellbeing commitment for staff, we are pleased to offer free and confidential health checks for those at a higher risk from Covid-19; those more at risk due to their health, race, age, disability or pregnancy and anyone previously shielding.
Sessions will include a body composition, cardiovascular assessment, mental wellbeing assessment and a life style discussion with a healthcare professional to improve both physical and mental wellbeing.
Are you in a high-risk group? Book a health check in January 2022.
Carer’s passport
We recognise the diverse nature of caring responsibilities within our workforce. The purpose of the Carer’s passport is to enable staff with caring responsibilities and their managers to hold supportive and open conversations to discuss and document the flexibilities needed to support combining caring and work. These conversations involve balancing the needs of the staff members with the needs of the department, within existing UHSussex policies. The aim is to minimise the need to re-negotiate these flexibilities every time a staff member moves post, moves between departments or is assigned a new manager. The carer’s passport can be completed by any staff member who has caring responsibilities which they believe could have an impact on their ability to work currently or at some point in the future. All information will remain confidential between the manager and the staff member and not shared unless prior agreement is sort from the staff member. This is designed to be a ‘live’ document to be reviewed every year and/or in response to any changes in the nature or impact of the caring responsibilities.
You may also want to join our colleagues as carers group.
Exercise clubs and leisure activities
Sadly many of our activities are currently paused due to Covid-19, however, examples of the different activities ordinarily on offer for staff across our sites include:
- Mindfulness
- Yoga
- Tap dancing
- Meditation
- Hiking
- Football
- Choir
- Knitting
- Hula-hooping
- Zumba
Eye tests
We have a pre arranged agreement with Specsavers to provide staff with a free eyetest voucher. In order to qualify for this you must be a ‘user’ as defined in our Display Screen Equipment policy (Section 4.7) and must have completed a DSE Checklist & Risk Assessment within the last 12 months. Once this is completed you can then apply for the voucher.
Health passport
The Health Passport is a new supportive tool for any staff that have long-term health conditions that may need to have a workplace or reasonable adjustment. The passport is voluntary and provides a structured way of having and recording meaningful conversations about health and adjustments between staff and their line manager or supervisor.
Menopause cafe
Going through the menopause can be a difficult and stressful time for staff. In order to make sure you have the support you need we have put together a useful Menopause Guide with tips and advice on managing the many effects it can have. We also hold Menopause Cafés in order to create a supportive culture where staff feel comfortable and able to talk about how it is affecting them, their friends, their families and their colleagues.
The sessions will be led by specialists from within the Trust and cover a range of topics including symptoms, guidance and self-care for individuals, guidance for managers as well as supporting menopause in the workplace.
Occupational health services
Onsite restaurants and refreshments
Physiotherapy for staff
We offer a service to all staff to assess, treat and advise on any musculoskeletal condition that are affecting your ability to carry out your duties at work.
Staff rest spaces
Stopping smoking
This is a flexible service, tailored to the needs of staff, outpatients and their relatives, and visitors attending RSCH. You attend an initial assessment (15-20 mins) with a qualified smoking cessation advisor who help you to set a quit date and measure your carbon monoxide readings. You are then asked to return each week or fortnightly for a 5-10 minute consultation to discuss how you are getting on and to receive your nicotine products. Currently offering phone consultations rather than face to face due to Covid. Call Pharm@sea in Brighton on 01273523257, Mondays to Fridays 9.00am – 6.00pm, Saturdays 9.30am – 1.30pm.
Financial wellbeing and discounts
Childcare
Credit union
Discounts and freebies
Simply Health cash plans
Simplyhealth offer a variety of health plans that allow you to look after your health and wellbeing before things turn into bigger and more expensive problems. They spread the cost of the treatment you might need to a regular monthly premium, starting from £10 a month. Simplyhealth cash plan offer access to a range of health services including online GP appointments, counselling and physio assessments and offer money back on dentist and opticians appointments. Simplyhealth Cash Plans include Cash back towards your healthcare costs, including sight tests, dental check ups, prescriptions, physio consultations, and much more. No need for a GP referral and you choose the practitioner you see. Free cover for up to four children. Access to a 24/7 GP and Counselling helpline. Simple online claims process with claims paid straight into your bank account.
Travel and transport
VIVUP Salary sacrifice scheme
Sign up and get access to information and services to help improve your financial wellbeing, such as payroll pay, exclusive travel offers, debt advice and lifestyle savings.
NHS People Leader support
Our NHS People have put together useful guides and resources to help you manage your own health and wellbeing whilst looking after others.
The NHS South East Leadership Academy offers leadership development opportunities for future and current leaders empowering you to create a truly inclusive and vibrant leadership community across the South East to deliver better health and care outcomes for our patients. Working with NHS organisations and systems in the region, they harness the talent and potential of all our workforce so we can collectively meet the objectives set out in the People Plan and the ambitions of the Long-Term Plan. Find out more about how they can support you, your team, your organisation and your system by visiting se.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/
