Staff wellbeing support

We have support available both within and outside our organisation to help you look after your health and wellbeing.

Resources and support is available for all physical, psychological, financial and spiritual needs.

Chaplaincy

Offering support and advice to individual colleagues or teams. Depending on circumstances and the nature of the concern, we offer:

• Listening – you are seen and heard
• Reflection – a non-judgemental space where issues are discussed and held gently together
• Bespoke service – seeking creative ways to offer you pastoral care
• Faith support – prayer and sacramental provision are available where appropriate

Cervical screening clinics

One in three women currently do not take up the offer of a screening in Teesside. Our staff cervical screening service supports our colleagues who may have challenges taking their invitation for a screening appointment.

Once you receive your invitation, you can book an appointment with this service at either women’s outpatients at the University Hospital of Hartlepool or main outpatients at the University Hospital of North Tees.

Cervical screening is not a test for cancer, but rather a test to prevent cancer – with a small sample of cells checked for certain types of high risk human papillomavirus (HPV). Find out more about cervical screening on the NHS website.

Domestic violence advocate

Confidential staff and patient support for those who may be experiencing domestic abuse at home. This service is provided for the trust by Harbour.

Our trust advocate, working alongside the adult safeguarding team, can provide instant intervention if a colleague has a concern or if domestic abuse has been disclosed.

Festival of finance

Our annual festival of finance events bring local organisations together to support staff with cost of living challenges. They offer our colleagues an opportunity to get advice around finance (for example, pensions and managing bills), support with career progression and access to NHS discounts and offers.

This event is held across both the University Hospital of Hartlepool and the University Hospital of North Tees.

The festival was launched following a survey of staff where we asked what support they would like to see implemented at the trust.

Flu vaccinations

All staff employed by the trust and NTH Solutions are offered a free flu jab each year.

Health and Wellbeing magazine

Our University Hospitals Tees health and wellbeing magazine is written by staff for staff.

It is a social occasion for staff to share their stories, reflections and tips on wellbeing. It also provides key support information that staff can access.

The magazine was ‘highly commended’ in the NHS Communicate 2022 awards.

Want to contribute to the magazine?

We’re always looking for colleagues to contribute to the magazine.

If you work for the trust and would like to share an experience, hobby, review, picture or story that helps contribute to your health and wellbeing, get in touch at [email protected]

Mental health support

Mental health first aiders

Key staff members throughout the organisation have received training in identifying the signs and symptoms for a range of mental health conditions. They are available to offer support and guidance to colleagues.

To find out who can support you from within your department or area, contact the people development team on the number below.

Mental health advisor

The trust’s mental health advisor is available to offer psychological and emotional support to all employees. This is a confidential service open to staff who are currently at work or absent from work.

Occupational health

Offering workplace based support for colleagues across the organisation. Our team can support you with:

Self-referral or formal management referral: staff can have a confidential chat with an advisor about any difficulties physical or psychological, at work or home, for advice on how to manage them

• Signposting to Alliance for psychological and/or talking therapy
• Signposting to in house physiotherapy for musculoskeletal support
• Provision of workplace ergonomic assessments to ensure staff members at risk of musculoskeletal injury is minimised

Psychology support hub

Facilitated by the psychology department. The psychology staff support hub (SPSH) team can support you by:

• Pathway 1 – providing a listening ear, guidance and support, and will support you to access other services available to help you
• Pathway 2 – a pre-booked slow with one of our psychologists, arranged to suit your work and life commitments. You will have the option of one of our own psychology team members, or someone from the external central staff wellbeing hub
• Pathway 3 – drop in ward sessions can be arranged, along with team time reflective sessions and other group support sessions

We can also consider whether group requests would benefit from a schwartz round. These can be help as closed rounds for teams too.

Rainbow Rooms

The organisation’s Rainbow Rooms at our Stockton and Hartlepool hospital sites provide a safe and communal space for colleagues to rest, take a break and recharge during their work day.

Staff networks

We have a number of staff support network groups that staff can become members of. The networks provide a safe forum where colleagues can discuss and help resolve issues.

They offer a space for individuals from across the organisation to get together, raise awareness of challenges and issues they may be facing, share ideas and most importantly, offer one another support.

We currently have the following active staff networks:

• Ethnic minority group
• Women’s network
• Ability group network
• LGBTQ+ network
• Age – older employees network

Stop smoking services

Our free support programme to quit smoking is open to all staff at our organisation.

The 12-week programme uses nicotine replacement therapy (such as patches or inhalators) and/or a vape to support you to quit smoking for good.

External support

As well as our internal health and wellbeing support service, we also have links with a number of organisations in our community which staff can access for free.

Free wellbeing apps

• #StayAlive
• Bright Sky
• WorkLife Central
• Headspace
• Unmind
• Zero Suicide Alliance

Support for armed forces within the NHS

As a supporter of the Armed Forces and an employer of Reservists, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation trust is proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the UK Armed Forces (and their families) are treated fairly.

We are proud to support as many of our staff as possible to be part of the reserve forces, because we recognise the clear benefits this can bring. These are benefits which ultimately lead to improved patient care. Being a reservist is also a great way to progress in your career in health and obtain new skills.