Staff in care homes, whether Council or privately owned, are part of our West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership. The COVID 19 pandemic has been especially challenging for those working and volunteering in care homes, whatever their role - from the lack of PPE, to anxieties around protecting loved ones and those they care for, the relentless pressure on keeping residents safe has taken its toll. Whilst we are hopefully coming out the other side of the pandemic, we know that this brings rise to other concerns such as anxieties around vaccinations, impact of losing people they have cared for or struggled with the level of care they have been able to provide.
The Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub has produced a newsletter for care homes which you can read here together with a covering letter from our consultant psychologists. The newsletter is being mailed directly to care home managers for circulation to staff and a pack of printed materials about the Hub will be sent to all our care homes next month. We are also making a podcast about the issues and challenges facing care home staff as a result of the pandemic.
More resources for people who work as carers can be found on our website and confidential help is available every day from trained listeners on our free support line 0808 196 3833, open 8am -8pm or online chat here.