The Long COVID Service has now closed to new referrals.
There are however a number of online resources that can still be accessed.
Information for Managers
Long COVID involves a continuation of a broad range of debilitating physical, cognitive, and psychological symptoms that persists beyond 12 weeks. Initial “Mild” symptoms are not reflective of long term outcomes for many. For many people, it will be a combination of physical and psychological symptoms; and an exacerbation of pre-existing symptoms may further complicate their presentation.
Possible features of Long COVID in the workplace
Difficulty in standing for long periods, or in sustaining normal work due to fatigue
Reduced ability with physical tasks, e.g. lifting or walking longer distances
Increased breathlessness with activity which can lead to poor tolerance with wearing face masks.
Trouble concentrating with tasks, takes longer to complete tasks and employee may worry about making mistakes.
Need for more frequent trips to toilet, more frequent rest breaks for recovery of energy.
Attempt by staff to “push on” and “overcome” despite increasing symptoms can result in further absence periods i.e. Sick leave, following by return, followed by relapse and further leave.
Example of recommendations for a staff member returning to work following an extended COVID absence
The individual plan should be tailored to each staff member based on the severity of symptoms and their role / tasks at work.
Phased return to work with shorter days and non-consecutive days initially. Due to the nature of fatigue the staff member may require an extended phased return more than the standard 4 weeks – may require up to 8 or 12 weeks. Advising starting with 1 short shift (may be as short as 3-4 hours) then gradually building up the amount of shifts per week before considering increasing the shift length for a more gentle phased return as this complements the fatigue management advice. It may be that the staff member is not always able to increase their hours in a linear way – may be that on some weeks they have a flare in their symptoms and any planned increases are paused or take a step back to a previous level which they were coping with. The staff member should be able to determine this based on their symptoms by that stage and liaise with their manager when further support required.
Consider some temporary adjustment to workload, opportunity to work alongside a colleague for the first few weeks for support if needed / supernumerary. Explore options for additional support/assistance with the more physical aspects of the role e.g. working with lower risk individuals.
Consideration of temporary alternative work if they are unable to resume to the more physical aspects of the role e.g. Learn pro / non clinical work (this may be helpful or it may be that based on what impacts on their symptoms, it is unhelpful or not required).Some people may need to limit the amount of time doing physical or PC tasks depending on symptoms
Keep shift patterns routine e.g. same start time each day and avoiding mix of early / late /night shifts until they have managed to build up their hours and duties.
There may also be role specific adjustments such as; being kept on own ward / smaller geographical area, not being responsible for emergency page, reducing clinical caseload initial supervision for clinical decision making (e.g. drug rounds), avoiding interruptions through day and avoiding on-call / nights etc.
Long COVID involves a continuation of a broad range of debilitating physical, cognitive, and psychological symptoms that persists beyond 12 weeks. The National Wellbeing Hub has developed some resources to assist those coping with the prolonged aftereffects of COVID. This is aimed at supporting people working in health and social care with living with the uncertainty that this condition can bring and their anxieties about returning to work.
These include two evidence-informed articles, one aimed at managers providing advice on how to support staff returning to work with Long COVID, and one aimed at people experiencing Long COVID These are supplemented by a Top Tip sheet with brief guidance for managing recovery from Long COVID.
In addition to the written materials, they’ve produced a series of three short videos. For these, they’ve spoken to two professionals who have both experienced Long COVID. In one, we hear about Janine’s path to recovery, while the other charts Grace’s return to work and how she is managing the ongoing challenges associated with this.
They’ve also spoken to Dr John Harden, Deputy National Clinical Director at the Scottish Government, who talks through what Long COVID is, what to do if you’re experiencing Long COVID, and how to manage some of the more common symptoms.
NHS Inform – Longer Term Effects ( Long Covid) Links to further information on fatigue, breathlessness, cough, pain, sleep, mood, anxiety, and return to work as well as Chest heart and stroke advice line.
Your Covid Recovery Sections on: Breathlessness, fatigue, headache, mood, memory & concentration, palpitations, Musculoskeletal issues, voice and swallowing and chest pain.
NHS Inform Self Help Guides on line tools and PDF’s self- help guides that can be down loaded on various Mental Health & Wellbeing topics including: Sleep problems, anxiety, depression, problem solving, chronic pain, PTSD, bereavement and self esteem.
Mental Health & Wellbeing Audio Guides on line tools and audio guides on various topics including – low mood, anxiety, sleep problems, self-confidence, unhelpful thinking and breathing exercises for stress.
All NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde employees can self-refer to the Occupational Health Service to access a wide range of support services. For further information on what’s available, please select from the options below.
Self Referral
All employees can self-refer to Occupational Health for confidential advice & support with one of the nursing team. Appointments are available by telephone only currently. All appointments are confidential.
Please call 0141 201 0600 to make an appointment or alternatively you may find the information you are looking for on HR Connect.
Counselling
Counselling services are available to all NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde employees within the Occupational Health Department at the West Glasgow ACH. All appointments are confidential.
Please contact 0141 277 7623 to arrange an appointment with one of the counselling team.
Where possible we ask you to consider making use of on-line resources or accessing alternative community supports. Links to a range of resources are available below. If you are experiencing a crisis please contact your GP or out of hours services
The Occupational Health Psychological Therapies Service (OHPTS)
This service is available to staff who wish to access psychological support. The service provides:
Psychological first aid
30 minute telephone or ‘Attend Anywhere’ video sessions
Sessions are delivered by a member of the Occupational Health Psychological Therapies Service (OHPTS)
To access call 0141 277 7623, Monday to Friday, 8.00am – 5.00pm
Please note this service will not be able to provide an immediate response. If you need immediate support with your mental health please contact a trusted member of your community such as your GP, or NHS 24 on 111 or if you are in imminent danger please dial 999.
Able Futures
Able Futures delivers the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service which can give you a mental health professional to talk to about whatever is on your mind.
There’s no charge to use the service and, over nine months, support from Able Futures can help you learn how to take care of yourself so can feel more able to tackle issues, feel better and learn new ways to manage your mental health throughout the ups and downs of life.
When there is something on your mind that is affecting the way you feel, you can contact Able Futures for support.
If you are experiencing issues such as anxiety, depression or stress, or are struggling to deal with problems such as debt, disrupted sleep or relationship breakdowns that may be affecting your mental health, Able Futures could give you support from a mental health professional who will help you make a plan to help your mental health, so you can feel better and have more good days.
Support from Able Futures is available over the phone, video calls and through email. There’s no waiting list and it’s a completely confidential service. Able Futures won’t inform us, your colleagues, family or friends that you have accessed the service.
If you feel you could benefit from some support with your mental health and wellbeing, call Able Futures on 0800 321 3137 to find out more about the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service and sign up online.
Mental Health & Wellbeing is just as important as physical health and many factors and life events can have an impact on how we feel. This hub provides links to further information and services available that can help you to improve your mental health & wellbeing.
If you are feeling very distressed, require emotional support or are suicidal then there are organisations who can help.
To speak in confidence to one of the Mental Health Occupational Health team or to arrange a counselling appointment, please phone 0141 277 7623. This line also operates an answer machine service if required.
Making a management referral to Occupational Health
The way managers submit referrals to Occupational Health changed in 2022to a new occupational health system that will allow referrals to be submitted electronically directly in the system. The system is called OPAS G2 and you will be able to login into the system to submit a referral or by opening the Microsoft Edge browser and going to NHSGGC Favourites then Admin then OPAS G2 Occ Health System.
The management referral form has been simplified to make it easier to submit a referral, you will also be able to view reports and track the progress of a referral via your managers dashboard giving you complete visibility throughout the whole referral process. A simple guide to submitting a referral using the new system is available.
Appointments will be carried out by telephone or using the Attend Anywhere video consultation service and face to face if required.
Using the OPAS G2 system
Do not submit the referral until you have fully completed all required sections. The referral cannot be amended again once submitted unless unlocked by the occupational health team at initial triage Please ensure to add any additional questions you wish answered. These can be added by clicking on the ‘Add Additional Questions’ link. each question should be added as a new entry. Please do not add these all into the one box.
Please note there are two mandatory questions, and these are defaulted to Yes, do not change these.
Manager and employee details can be updated if required e.g. to update address or phone number by clicking on the ‘Update’ button. Please ensure all details are correct and update if required.
If you have not received a login or are unable to login by the end of March, please contact our admin team at occhealth@ggc.scot.nhs.uk who will set up a login for you.
Employees now require to give consent via G2 before a report is released, this can take up to 5 days before you receive a report after a consultation has taken place.
Please note we continue to work to the criteria below for referrals.
Any responses from our service including the occupational health advice report will be sent by email and information can then be accessed via the managers dashboard.
If we have requested additional information, please respond and then click ‘Resubmit to OH’ in the top right hand corner to resend back into the system for further triage. The more relevant information you can provide the easier this process is, please avoid submitting referrals with only one sentence as these cannot be fully triaged.
Printing & Saving a Referral
To print or save a copy of a referral as a PDF – click on the ‘Print Referral’ icon on the top right hand screen of the employee record. Either print as required or change the print option to ‘save as a pdf’
You can also print just the report itself by clicking on the completed referral to Open then click on Communications under additional Information then click on ‘new email, letter or text’ then select ‘NHSGGC Management Referral Response Report’ then click on ‘Download’ save or print report.
Please note referrals will only appear on your dashboard for 12 months following an appointment, reports should be printed/saved and kept in personnel files or similar for future reference.
We will continue to offer appointments via telephone or Attend Anywhere although face to face assessments are also offered where appropriate, priority is given to the most essential and appropriate referrals.
If you require any help, please contact the Department on 0141 201 0600.
Criteria for Referrals
General Criteria for Referrals
Urgent referrals for cases such as terminal illness or other serious illness.
Consideration of ill health retirement or redeployment. Please ensure that you have discussed this with the employee and HR prior to referral. Ill health retirement is only applicable if the employee has been superannuated for a minimum of 2 years, they are permanently unfit for work, all options for reasonable adjustments have been considered, and they have exhausted all treatment options and are under their normal pension age.
Long term absences – 29 days or more for advice on likely return to work and rehabilitation. It is important to note that not all long term absences require referral to Occupational Health at 29 days for example routine surgery where an expected recovery of 6+ weeks has been identified (please also see work related stress guidance and access to counselling service information).
In some (but not all) cases of frequent, short-term sickness absence where there are patterns of absence or there is an underlying health condition adversely affecting health or work is adversely affecting health.
significant underlying health issues impacting on workplace health
significant mental health issues e.g. severe anxiety, depression.
To seek advice and support for employees who are on Stage 3 of the Attendance Policy
If your referral does not fall into the general criteria please see further guidance
Return to Work/Phased Returns
If the case is in relation to an imminent return to work then you as line manager should explore the details of this with your member of staff in the first instance. If there is any concern regarding potential residual symptoms that may impact on their ability to deliver their normal role you may wish to consider whether modified duties may be feasible E.g. a temporary adjustment or restriction duties that the employee would find difficult.
A phased return may also enable a more successful transition back to work. The new NHS Scotland wide policy enables a 4-week phased return on full pay not requiring the use of accrued leave. It is also useful to look at breaking up working weeks to reduce the impact of fatigue on return to work e.g. working non-consecutive days and gradually phasing the staff members hours back up to their contracted hours.
In some cases, a longer phased return may be beneficial in supporting a return to work and consideration could also be given to utilising any accrued annual leave to further extend a period of reduced hours following the initial 4-week period. Any phased return should be discussed with the employee prior to their return to work and should take into account any modification required to duties.
Work related Stress
If an employee reports work related stress, the expectation is that the Manager should meet with them to identify the cause of the work-related stress and explore the potential options for addressing or resolving the stressors locally.
If the stressors are as a result of relationship difficulties in the workplace, Mediation may be explored as an option via HR. A referral to Occupational Health is only indicated, if a health condition is declared or the work-related stress is exacerbating a pre-existing health condition.
If an OHS referral is required, it is important that the manager notes any interventions that have been attempted to date and includes a copy of the stress risk assessment. Managers should refer to theStress in the Workplace guidance.
Access to Occupational Health Physiotherapy and Counselling Services
If the employee only requires physiotherapy or counselling and there are no other issues impacting on their health & wellbeing in the workplace, then a management referral is not required.
Employees can self-refer to arrange a counselling appointment on 0141 201 0600.
A number of services are available to support staff in response to Covid -19 including occupational health counselling and national resources via the Wellbeing Hub for NHS Scotland.
If an employee is reporting a skin problem which may be caused by or made worse by work (including skin problems affecting the hands) please refer via the usual Skin Health Surveillance process. A management referral should not be submitted for staff requiring to be referred as part of the skin health surveillance process and the questionnaire should be emailed directly to our service at occupational.health@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.
For urgent advice regarding a skin problem please direct the employee to contact Occupational Health by phoning 0141 201 0594 or email occupational.health@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.
If following review of the above guidance you require further information, advice or wish to discuss the suitability of a referral to the Occupational Health Service please email occupational.health@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.
If you have an appointment already arranged via Attend Anywhere (Near Me) software, then you can access the virtual waiting area.
We suggest using the link a few minutes before your appointment time.
Please note that you must use Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Apple Safari internet browser.
Links
The Workplace Adjustment Passport to support to support employees with a disability, health condition or diversity in the workplace to have, and continue to have, a great experience at work has been launched. With the help of the Passport, we can bring about progress in a collaborative and supportive manner.
The Occupational Health service provides access to a dedicated alcohol and drug/substance Nurse for all NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde employees.
A specialist Alcohol and Substance Nurse is available to provide a comprehensive assessment of alcohol or substance use and suggest suitable support options if required, including signposting and referral to specialist services. Interventions such as motivational work, alcohol brief interventions and relapse prevention are also provided.
The Occupational Health Practitioner involved in your care can arrange an appointment if required or you can self-refer yourself to this service. Your manager can also refer you to this service.
This service is available to any NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde employee that is concerned about their alcohol or drug/substance use.
To make an appointment, contact us on 0141 201 0600.
Additional Resources
All employees can self-refer to Occupational Health for advice and support and to access counselling.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde employees can self refer to the Occupational Health Physiotherapy Service for treatment & advice using a self-referral form(Please save the form to your computer).
Who can access the service
Employees who are:
Are absent from work due to a musculoskeletal problem.
Are at risk from going off work due to a new or work affected musculoskeletal problem.
Have sustained a musculoskeletal injury following an injury or accident at work.
Require ergonomic workplace equipment.
Aims & Features of the Service
Quicker access to physiotherapy for those absent from work or who have sustained an injury at work.
Give advice and reassurance to reduce the need for sickness absence.
This is a musculoskeletal service, you may be signposted to more appropriate specialties.
Encourage health promotion and good working practices among NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde employees.
Treatment available at our main hub at the West Glasgow ACH & at satellite clinics at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
If you are suffering from a pregnancy related musculoskeletal condition, then you can self-refer to your local maternity service.
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Podiatry Service
You can self refer to the Podiatry Service on 0141 347 8909. This line is available Monday to Friday 8.00am – 8.00pm and on Saturdays from 9.00am – 1.00pm.
If you are requiring a workplace assessment or equipment, please complete the Display Screen equipment (DSE) risk assessment form & the workplace assessment form.
If you need to report an incident or require advice, please contact Occupational Health on 0141 201 0595.
The line is open Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 5.00pm.
Any incidents that occur out with these times should be reported to your local Emergency Department. Please ensure that you then report your injury to Occupational Health on the next working day.
The Occupational Health Service will provide specialist advice to support your health and wellbeing in the workplace.
The service will proactively work to improve the health & wellbeing of the workforce with a key focus on Healthy Working Lives and supporting the wider NHS agenda of the improvement of health & wellbeing in the community.
We have Safe Effective Quality Occupational Health Service (SEQOHS) Accreditation.
The service is a multi-disciplinary team consisting of Specialist Occupational Health Nurses, Registered Nurses, Occupational Health Physicians, Physiotherapists, Counsellors, Psychologists and administration staff.
Service Manager: John Somerville
Lead Nurse: Helen Downie
Lead Physiotherapist: Richard Farquhar
Administration Manager: Lindsay Green
Nurse Team Leads: Gillian Gordon and Kevin Young
Mental Health Nurse Team Lead: Steven Reid
Consultant Clinical Psychologist: Paul McKenzie
General Data Protection Regulation(GDPR) Information
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGGC) is a public organisation created in Scotland under section 1 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (the 1978 Act). It is one of the organisations which form part of NHS Scotland (NHSS).
NHSGGC is the data controller of the personal data it processes for the purpose of the Data Protection Act 2018 along with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and is registered as a data controller with the Information Commissioner under Notification No Z8522787.
For advice or an appointment, please contact our hub:
Occupational Health 6th Floor West Glasgow ACH Dalnair Street Glasgow, G3 8SJ
If you have an appointment already arranged via Attend Anywhere (Near Me) software, then you can access the virtual waiting area
We suggest using the link a few minutes before your appointment time. Please note that you must use Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or an Apple Safari internet browser.
Getting to West Glasgow ACH
Location of West Glasgow Ambulatory Care Hospital
Parking Facilities at the West Glasgow Ambulatory Care Hospital
Clinic Locations
Appointments will be available within the hub daily and on set days at the following locations:
Inverclyde Royal Hospital
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
Disabled Access
NHSGGC is a double tick positive employer and our service is fully accessible to those with Disability. All of our clinics are carried out on NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde hospital sites and as such have disabled acces and toilet facilities if required. Our main hub at the West Glasgow ACH is on the 6th floor but lifts are available and many of our appointments can be carried out over the telephone or using Attend Anywhere video consultation if required.
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding accessing our service, please contact us on 0141 201 0600 or email
What is Peer Support?
Peer Support is now available for all NHS and Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) staff across Greater Glasgow and Clyde as a way to support our colleagues. We know that when people feel supported and heard, this has a positive impact on their wellbeing and resilience. It can help to provide a space for someone to make sense of their recent experiences, which can give them a sense of control and help them feel capable of managing difficult situations. It is a supportive and flexible response, which acknowledges and understands that stress and experiencing struggles at times, is a normal part of life.
A Peer Support Framework for all health and social care staff working in the NHSGGC Board area was approved by the Board Strategic Executive Group. On the basis of the principles, conceptual framework, structure and governance arrangements outlined in the framework, the development of a Peer Support Network (PSN) was commissioned and developed by the Board Mental Health and Wellbeing Group with funding from NHS Charities Together.
Aims of the Peer Support Network
To develop a Board-wide peer support service with clear pathways between the various levels of staff support interventions.
To implement a model of peer support available to every member of health and social care staff.
To embed within services dedicated peer support trainers to cascade knowledge and skills throughout services through establishing and supporting Wellbeing Champions in all teams.
To ensure that recognition of the benefits of peer support is at the heart of all health and social care operations.
Peer Support in the Workplace: The National Wellbeing Hub
Watch these eight short videos below of NHSGGC’s Principal Health Psychologist in Occupational Health, Heather Connolly, discussing her experiences of implementing a Peer Support programme across NHSGGC and the HSCPs.
Have a look at what a peer support conversation might look like:
Scenario 1: Yvonne opens up to Peer Supporter, Simon, about feeling overwhelmed by caring for her unwell mother-in-law while parenting her young children and working.
Scenario 2: John speaks to Peer Supporter, Liz, about how the end of his long term relationship with his partner has taken a negative toll of his mental wellbeing.
The Peer Support model contains a range of interventions and the intensity of the intervention determines the role and required level of training, beyond the foundation level for all staff to access.
The Models of Peer Support
Across NHSGGC and our HSCPs, our Peer Supporters have been trained via one of the following models, which form the conceptual basis and foundation of Peer Support:
1. The Psychological First Aid Model
Psychological First Aid (PFA) is concerned with reinforcing seven basic coping strategies by:
Caring for immediate needs
Protecting from risk
Comforting others
Supporting
Providing information on coping
Connecting others with social support
Educating about normal responses
Taking good care of yourself is at the centre of the PFA model.
To find out more about Psychological First Aid, watch Principal Health Psychologist, Heather Connolly’s ‘Let’s talk about… Psychological First Aid’ webinar:
Several Peer Supporters within medical have been trained via the SAFER model. This is a Peer Support tool used within Critical Incident Stress Management to help structure a 1:1 supportive episode with a peer. It is a specific model of PFA that helps direct the conversation with an individual in crisis or needing support.
SAFER stands for:
Stabilize (introduction; meet basic needs; mitigate acute stressors)
Acknowledge the crisis (event, reactions)
Facilitate understanding (normalization)
Encourage effective coping (mechanisms of action)
Recovery or Referral (facilitate access to continued care)
Citation: The SAFER-R Model, Psychological Crisis Intervention, George S. Everly, Jr., PhD, ABPP, CCISM, Jeffrey T. Mitchell, PhD, CCISM, 2017
It is important to note that neither models are counselling or therapy models nor substitutes for them but they are both designed to help support our peers. Whichever model you are trained through, you will be a fully trained Peer Supporter by the end of the session.
This is a short online eLearning module and is available on digital platforms in health and social care and is designed to support all staff in Health and Social Care.
The module title is: Looking after Yourself and Others, which outlines:
Understand what a normal response to stress is
Understand the basic elements of Psychological First Aid
HSCP staff link to local authority online learning platform (module is called: Introduction to Psychological Wellbeing and Peer Support).
Live Sessions
Alternatively, you can view this content via live online or face-to-face 45-minute sessions, which have received excellent feedback. Upcoming MS Teams online sessions are listed below and are available for all NHSGGC and HSCP to book and attend:
Upcoming ‘Looking after Yourself and Others’ online sessions July-December 2024.
Feedback from staff has been very positive:
“It was a fantastic course”
“I felt the coping strategies were very helpful to know.”
“The module has lots of helpful information laid out in an easy to follow style.”
“This is pitched so well for people who have little or no prior training in Mental Health”
Level 2: Peer Support – Becoming a Peer Supporter
This is available now and provides a full one-day in-person training session for colleagues to become a Peer Supporter. This has been designed by and is delivered by the NHSGGC Peer Support Service. Peer Supporters will have enough experience to meet the needs of their team/peers, and that the role is appropriate to their grading and level of seniority within a team.
It is essential that staff being considered for Peer Supporter roles are supported by their immediate line manager and the senior manager for their service to ensure they have allocated time to provide this support.
Become a Peer Supporter
Upcoming Peer Support training courses are promoted on Core Brief, StaffNet and email distribution lists. To join our email distribution list, contact peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk to ensure you receive upcoming training opportunities.
Upcoming Peer Support (Level 2) Training Dates
Training dates are now available for colleagues who wish to explore the role and requirements of a Peer Supporter and have the support of their line manager to implement peer support in their local team. This course is one full day face-to-face (9:30am-4:30pm).
Delegates should note the following prerequisites for completion before the training day:
Delegates to complete the online module ‘Looking after Yourself and Others’ (NHSGGC staff). The module is packed with essential hints and tips on how to look after your wellbeing and the wellbeing of others. It is available for staff directly employed by NHSGGC on Learnpro, module GCC 277 and for staff directly employed by the HSCPs social care staff, on their Local Authority learning platforms. or ‘Introduction to Psychological Wellbeing and Peer Support’ (Local Authority Staff)
Delegates to discuss with their line manager aims for Peer Support and staff wellbeing in their team and / or service. Post course, delegates will be asked to agree with their line manager an action plan to implement local Peer Support and identify the time and resources to do this.
It is important to consider your own wellbeing before thinking about supporting others. Please consider whether you are in the position to support your colleagues before you attend this training to become a Peer Supporter.
03/10/2024 – Stobhill ACH, Seminar Room 6, Book here
22/10/2024 – New Victoria ACH, Level 2, 16B, Book here
07/11/2024 – Stobhill ACH, Seminar Room 6, Book here
20/11/2024 – Stobhill ACH, Seminar Room 6, Book here
03/12/2024 – Royal Alexandra Hospital, Classroom 3, Book here
12/12/2024 – New Victoria ACH, Level 2, 16B, Book here
Please note: this training is for staff directly employed by NHSGGC and/or one of the six HSCPs only.
Before you book, please also note the following:
Please only book yourself onto one training course (including only one waiting list). If you book yourself on to more than one, you will be removed from the attendance lists to ensure all colleagues have a fair and equal chance of attending this training.
Peer Support training is in extremely high demand with long waiting lists of colleagues wishing to become Peer Supporters. We kindly ask you to please cancel your space on this course if you can no long attend.
Your immediate line managers must approve your attendance on this training course. Please highlight to your manager that following your training, there is an ongoing expectation to dedicate approximately 1 hour a month to developing your skills as a Peer Supporter.
If line managers request more information on what Peer Support is and the evidence-based benefits on having a Peer Supporter in the team, please contact peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.
The Peer Support Journey
See the Peer Support Journey for more information on how to become a Peer Supporter or if you are interested in having a Peer Supporter in your team:
Various staff across NHSGGC and Health and Social Care Partnerships are currently being trained to become Peer Supporters. Each Peer Supporter has completed training and has the knowledge and skills needed to offer peer support to their team and colleagues. So far, we have almost 500 trained Peer Supporters across NHSGGC and the HSCPs and this figure is growing rapidly.
Meet some of our Peer Supporters:
Donald Macphail and Katherine Malloch
Katherine (right) is an Education Co-ordinator, Senior Charge Nurse in Adult Theatres at the QEUH and is available to provide Peer Support to colleagues who would like to talk openly about their feelings and worries in a welcoming, non-judgemental and confidential space.
Donald (left) is a Controlled Drug Inspector based at Clarkston Court Clinic Glasgow South. He is able to provide Peer Support in person or virtually in a safe, confidential, non-judgemental environment in which staff may wish to share experiences. His endeavour is to support, listen and provide space for staff to make sense of their experiences.
Lisa Conway
Lisa is a Lead Medical Administrator based at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary and is available to provide Peer Support to members of staff who feel they need support. This is a supported non-judgmental conversation.
Keep an eye out for our Peer Supporters wearing identifiable lanyards and/or badges with the Peer Support logo.
Where are the Peer Supporters?
Each service may offer a different form of peer support to best meet the needs of their staff, area or department. You will be able to spot the peer supporters as they will be wearing their lanyards or badges.
In certain teams it would be desirable to have more than one Peer Supporter to ensure an appropriate mix of peer support available. At present, we have trained peer supporters in the following sites:
Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
West Glasgow ACH (Yorkhill Hospital)
Stobhill Hospital
Gartnavel (General and Royal) Hospital
Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre
Royal Hospital for Children
Royal Alexandra Hospital
Kirkintilloch Health and Care Centre
Shettleston Health Centre
Renfrew Health and Social Work Centre
Pollokshaws Clinic
Pollok Health Centre
New Victoria Hospital
Mile End Mill
Lightburn Hospital
Leverndale Hospital
Inverclyde Royal Hospital
Greenock Health Centre
Govan Police Station
Esteem North
Eastwood Health and Care Centre
Eastbank Conference and Training Centre
Central Decontamination Unit
Aranthrue Centre (Renfrew)
And more….
We also have remote working Peer Supporters who can offer peer support while you work from home to best suit your needs.
Supporting information for Peer Supporter candidates:
“The training has changed the way I speak to patients and colleagues”
“I think the most important thing I realised was it is not a formal thing, it is about the way we communicate and actively listen”
“The session was well delivered and informative. Well done presenters”
“The trainers were fantastic. Totally enthusiastic and knowledgeable which they passed on with ease.”
“It was all relevant, thank you. Time well spent.”
“I am extremely satisfied with this training”
How to speak to a Peer Supporter
Find out who your team/ department Peer Supporter is and arrange a chat with them.
If you do not have a Peer Supporter in your team, do not know if you have one in your team or if you feel more comfortable speaking with a Peer Support outwith your team, please direct these requests peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk and the Peer Support team will be able to help. If you yourself are interested in becoming a Peer Supporter then discuss with your manager and come along to one of our training days.
Is it confidential?
Yes, what you say will be confidential. However, if the Peer Supporter is worried about your or someone else’s safety they may seek support from other relevant service to best help you. This would be discussed with you first before any action is taken.
Level 3: Peer Support Hubs
As Peer Support continues to grow rapidly, the programme is shifting towards a hub-model. This is when the team deliver in-house training to staff from the same service/area to become Peer Supporters to support their colleagues locally and develop a critical mass of Peer Supporters across the service.
Hubs have a Hub Champion who coordinates Peer Support activity across the service and works with Peer Supporters to overcome implementation barriers.
There are several hubs across the organisation including:
The Specialist Children’s Services Hub
Critical Care (QEUH) Hub
The Spiritual Care (Chaplaincy) Hub
The LGBTQIA+ Peer Support Hub
Diagnostics and Imaging Hub
Several more hubs are currently in development.
If you would like to speak to a Peer Supporter within a particular hub, please contact peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk and state the hub in the email’s subject line.
If you are interested in knowing more about hubs or are interested in setting up a Peer Support hub in your area, please contact peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
To speak to a Peer Supporter, for general enquires to find out more about Peer Support or if you are interested in becoming a Peer Supporter, please email; peer.support@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Royal Hospital for Children Colleagues
There is also a Peer Support Network of staff who work within critical care at The Royal Hospital for Children. More information can be found here: RHC Peer Support
For colleagues based at the Royal Hospital for Children interested in Peer Support, please direct all requests to: rhc.peersupport@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Peer Support is one part of the wide range of Staff Support and Wellbeing services available in NHSGGC. Click below for more information:
If you need immediate support with your mental health please contact a trusted member of your community such as your GP, call NHS 24 on ‘111’, dial ‘999’ or go to A&E. To talk to someone you can call Samaritans on ‘116 123’ (available 24 hours) or Breathing Space on ‘0800 83 85 87’ (available 6.00pm Friday to 6.00am Monday and 6.00pm – 2.00am on weekdays Monday -Thursday).
The Let’s talk about… Staff Wellbeing webinar series offers short, information sessions to NHSGGC and HSCP staff with focus on various topics which we know are important to personal health and wellbeing. They are delivered in a format that allows colleagues to take away top tips and share with others.
These sessions are delivered live on MS Teams at the end of each month. For members of staff who could not attend the live sessions or would like to rewatch any, they have been recorded and uploaded onto SharePoint.
Peer Support Resources
All Peer Support resources can be ordered directly from the Public Health Resources Directory (PHRD). If you have not ordered from this site before, you will need to create an account. Search ‘Peer Support Resources’ to find our available resources.
