NHS puts mental health of its staff in focus with new support service

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust has launched a new ‘Thrive’ service to support its 8,500 workforce following feedback from staff, particularly in light of the impact COVID-19 has had.

The new Thrive service for staff is a core part of the Trust’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy and is led by a dedicated team of psychologists and counsellors, who have been recruited to lead the confidential service. They offer a range of services, including specialist psychological therapies, group programmes and training.

It follows a proposal from a group formed during the COVID-19 crisis, which brought together the Trust’s chaplaincy, occupational health, public health, rehabilitation colleagues and psychology.

Consultant Clinical Psychologist Sonia Wilson leads the team along- side her role as head of the Trust’s Clinical Health Psychology Service.

She said: “We have a great team and I want to support and encourage them so they in turn can provide a high quality service to staff accessing support. Often acknowledging that things may be difficult and sharing this with others is enough for us to start thinking about what can be done to help the situation.

“Our staff have gone above and beyond over the past 18 months and our new Thrive service is just one way we are supporting staff as we all reflect on the challenges of the pandemic.”