Working in healthcare (and particularly anaesthetics) can be very stressful at times. Please do not be afraid to seek help or support at any time. You may find some of the below resources helpful:
Coffee Club
We aim to hold regular 'coffee club' sessions at least monthly (or every two weeks if facilitator availability allows) - usually on a Thursday morning. These sessions are simply an opportunity to chat over coffee. There is no fixed agenda but they offer a chance to discuss anything that you might have found "tricky" at work or otherwise. They are not clinical chats but focus on psychological support and signposting in a relaxed, informal environment. Coffee and cake is always provided!
Coffee Club facilitators:
Dr Andy Allen
Dr Tom Standley
Local Help
Your educational supervisor or college tutor (Stu Wade).
Worthing anaesthetic consultant site lead (Sidd Nene).
UHS West Perioperative Clinical Director (Dom Melville - based in Chichester).
Click HERE to access the trust's wellbeing resources.
External Resources
Health Employee Learning and Psychotherapy (HELP) service
Confidential support, counselling and psychotherapy for a range of issues that may be affecting staff members at UHS.
Trainees can be referred via a line manager, occupational health, HR or Staff Side using referral forms.
Deanery Trainee Support Lead
Kate Solan (Consultant Anaesthetist, Brighton) - kate.solan@nhs.net
Psychology services from the Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust (SPFT)
https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/your-mental-health/getting-help
Free confidential and impartial service supporting the progression of postgraduate training for NHS healthcare professionals, working independently of specialty schools, training programmes or trusts.
Professional Support Unit
https://london.hee.nhs.uk/professional-development
Provides a range of support services for deanery trainees:
Confidential 1:1 advice or support via the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) service
Coaching
Careers advice
Psychological Support for doctors & dentists
Specialist Communication and linguistics skills support
Access to dyslexia assessments and specialist dyslexia coaching
Access to neurodiversity resources
Support for those Returning to Practice
Courses, Groups, Workshops & e-learning
Individual Support Team (IST) support
Access to wellbeing & self management resources
BMA Counselling
https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/your-wellbeing/
Free, confidential 24/7 counselling and peer support services open to all doctors and medical students (regardless of BMA membership), plus their partners and dependents.
Royal College of Anaesthetists
https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/support-individuals
Links to a range of services including Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous.
Association of Anaesthetists
http://anaesthetists.org/Home/Wellbeing-support
Various support services including links to 'Coffee and a Gas' wellbeing podcast.
Urgent/Immediate 24/7 Psychological Support
NHS Frontline service for all NHS staff: Call 0300 131 7000 (between 7am-11pm) or text 'FRONTLINE' to 85258 (24hrs/day).
NHS bereavement & loss helpline for NHS staff: Call 0300 303 4434 (between 7am-11pm).
The Samaritans: Call 116 123, Email: jo@samaritans.org
The Practitioner Support Programme's crisis line: Text 'NHSPH' to 85258.