Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for medical, nursing and midwifery students

Student health and wellbeing during the emergency period

Looking after yourself and others

Over and above the precautions protecting you from transmission of the coronavirus, it will be crucial over the coming weeks and months that you look after yourselves, reflecting on both your physical and mental health.

Your university will continue to provide pastoral support to you and if you move into clinical practice you will have a line manager who can provide further support.

You can also access support specific to healthcare staff at https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/28063/coronavirus-covid-19/psychosocial-support-and-wellbeing

Staff wellbeing and support – employers' duty of care

Employers have a moral and statutory duty of care to protect employee's health and safety and provide a safe environment to work. NHS organisations need to be proactive in protecting employees and supporting them to feel safe and secure in their employment. It is critical that employers support staff by listening to concerns, responding appropriately and reinforcing the need to follow the latest Health Protection Scotland (HPS)guidance at https://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/covid-19/

Employers have the same duty of care to their staff during a pandemic as in other circumstances, and will take steps to safeguard the health and safety of their staff.

HPS infection prevention and control guidance principles should be applied and reflected in local plans.

During your time in clinical practice you should:

• Have regular breaks to reduce the onset of fatigue and associated risks. Additional arrangements may need to be considered by organisations where staff are working longer shifts and/or additional hours; this could involve the repurposing of offices into rest spaces.
• Know where to go to access local support e.g. Occupational Health contacts, employee assistance provider (EAP) information and psychological support including provisions for accessing counselling or other supportive provisions.
• Have an effective safety induction into new areas where you are being deployed, ensuring you are familiar with emergency procedures, reporting procedures and any equipment you may be asked to use
• Be supported to raise concerns and seek reassurance/explore and agree solutions your line manager where required