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Health and safety measures to support long Covid workers

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) believes that workplace health and safety professionals have a key role to play in supporting those with long Covid to work.

Long covid affects the ability of millions of people to workDr Karen Michell, IOSH’s Research Programme Lead for Occupational Health, has highlighted the fact that thousands of long Covid sufferers are struggling at work or have been left unable to work at all.

She says that support is key to ensure they can remain in the workplace, and OSH professionals can assist managers in implementing suitable interventions.

Long Covid affects millions of people

1.9 million people live with long covid, including fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating and muscle achesIt is estimated that 1.9 million people in the UK continue to experience fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog or other debilitating symptoms as a result of a past Covid-19 infection.

Figures provided by the ONS in March 2023 suggest that long Covid symptoms adversely affect the day-to-day activities of almost 8 in 10 (79%) sufferers, equating to 1.5 million people.

A fifth of these (381,000) report that their ability to undertake their day-to-day activities has been “limited a lot” by the disease.

Of those with self-reported long Covid, nearly three-quarters (72%) experience fatigue, while around half experience difficulty concentrating (51%), muscle aches (49%) and shortness of breath (48%).

As a proportion of the UK population, the prevalence of self-reported long Covid is greatest among people aged 35 to 69 years, females, those living in more deprived areas, social care workers, those aged 16 years and over who are not working and not looking for work and those with another activity-limiting health condition or disability.

Good work can aid long Covid recovery

Those with long covid can benefit if supported to work wellDr Michell says that, for many of these individuals, their ability to work will be negatively impacted.

She explains:

“For these people, life with long Covid continues to be highly challenging. They’ll have good days and bad days but for much of the time they’ll find it difficult to work, even though good work can help their recovery.

“They need support and, faced with a considerable shortage of workers, our economy, in turn, is going to need support from them.”

Crucially, the majority of individuals who are affected by long Covid are from the economically active age group, meaning it is vital that employers find a way to support them and accommodate their needs in the workplace. This will positively impact the workers’ long-term health and wellbeing while also boosting the sustainability of businesses.

Adaptations for long Covid workers

Dr Michell suggests several measures that employers can implement to support workers living with long Covid, including:

  • Rethinking the notion that a worker has to be 100% fit to work – instead of focusing on what they can’t do, look at what they can do
  • Gain an understanding from the worker of how their symptoms affect them and what practical support they need to work
  • Provide workers with flexibility to manage their symptoms, particularly when it comes to working long hours and the option to work from home, for example
  • Enable workers to work at a pace where they feel comfortable
  • Adapt the layout of your workplace to ensure that facilities and amenities are easier to access
  • Adapt jobs so that they are less physically demanding and adjust working conditions where required

A new tool can help employers work out how to support workers with disabilities or chronic health conditionsDr Michell also highlighted a new interactive tool developed in the US to help workers, employers and OSH professionals to identify and develop suitable support strategies to help workers with a disability or chronic health condition to “work comfortably, safely and productively.”

The Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT) was introduced by the Institute for Work and Health to help identify personalised support that will lead to the retention of workers.

The award-winning tool helps people to consider the demands of a job and how they relate to health conditions in four key areas:

  • Physical demands – the physical tasks required to do the job
  • Cognitive demands – the mental or “thinking” tasks required to do the job
  • Social demands – the tasks related to working with others
  • Environmental and organisational demands – the tasks related to working conditions

Dr Michell adds:

“Long Covid is a new disease and we are still learning about its effects on long term health. The majority of those affected have recovered and are back at work. Yet for those who have not fully recovered from long Covid, the opportunity to work in a supportive environment will help their recovery. This will be good for them and it will benefit the employer.”

Improved support and more flexible practices for workers

IOSH called for flexible practices to help disabled workersHer words echo recent calls from IOSH for better support and more flexible practices to ensure that workers with disabilities are not lost from the UK workforce.

IOSH formed part of the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) working group that addressed guidance for employers’ duties in protecting disabled people at work.

They believe that occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals can help employers to see a real return on their investment in disabled workers.

OSH professionals can help to enhance workplaces and support employers’ efforts to employ, retain and accommodate more people with disabilities. They can also recommend workplace assessments and adjustments to help workers remain safe at work and ensure they can return to work effectively.

IOSH’s Head of Policy, Ruth Wilkinson, explained:

“Good work is good for people’s health and wellbeing; that’s work that’s safe, supportive and accommodates people’s needs. There isn’t only one way to achieve this, but IOSH advocates creating human-centred, worker-friendly work environments.

“By supporting and enabling people with long-term health conditions and disabilities to work from home, employers can help them fulfil their potential, which has major benefits for the bottom-line, bringing higher productivity and profitability.”

Inclusion in the workplace

Employers should protect the health, safety and welfare of their workers with suitable interventions, this includes long covid sufferersFirst Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider.

They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.

Their diverse portfolio includes training awards in Equality and Diversity, Disability Equality Awareness, Health and Safety and Managing and Supervising Risk.

A trainer from FRT explains:

“Employers have a duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their workers. This doesn’t just extend to their physical health and safety while at work, but also their mental health and wellbeing. A cloud based health and safety software empowers organizations to maintain a safe workplace environment for their employees.

“If adopting better support, flexible policies and improved practices can help ensure all their employees experience improved wellbeing, these are important steps to take and will help employers fulfil their statutory duty as well as improve staff retention rates and productivity.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

New campaign to improve public mental health

The government has launched a new campaign to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the general public.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), which was only officially launched on 1st October 2021, has initiated its first campaign as part of the government’s mission to tackle health problems at an earlier stage.

The Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign is designed to empower people to support their own mental health through practical tips and expert advice.

Half of adults struggling with mental wellbeing

It comes as new research commissioned by OHID, which will be responsible for tackling health inequalities across the nation, found that nearly half (49%) of adults in England said that the Covid-19 pandemic had a negative impact on their mental health and wellbeing.

The campaign aims to tackle this by urging people to find out “what works for me” in terms of reducing feelings of stress and anxiety, boosting mood, sleeping better and feeling in greater control of their lives.

The OHID study also revealed that just over a third of adults in England (34% or 15.1 million people) said they did not know what they could do to improve their own mental wellbeing.

Researchers also found that younger adults aged 18-34 were the most significantly affected group, with 57% within this age group saying that the pandemic had negatively affected their mental health and 44% admitting that they did not know what to do to improve it.

The Every Mind Matters platform enables people to answer 5 questions in exchange for a tailored ‘Mind Plan’ which will provide them with personalised tips.

Expert mental health advice

Minister for Care and Mental Health, Gillian Keegan, said the general public had demonstrated “great resilience” throughout the last 18 months but that the pandemic had “served as a stark reminder that we all need to look after ourselves not only physically, but mentally.”

She added:

“There are simple steps we can all be taking to improve our mental wellbeing and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. For anyone who is unsure what they can do, I urge you to visit Every Mind Matters and take advantage of the expert advice and practical tips available to you.”

Meanwhile, the NHS National Director for Mental Health, Claire Murdoch, assured people: “[…] The NHS is here for you, so if you’re struggling with anxiety and depression our rapidly expanding talking therapy services are available, while anyone who needs urgent help can access our 24/7 NHS crisis lines – available to people of all ages.

“I would encourage everyone to look after their mental health, and by answering 5 simple questions, get a tailored ‘mind plan’ which will give you tips to help boost your mood, sleep better and deal with stress and anxiety.”

Support for mental health campaign

The new campaign is supported by a coalition of mental health charities, including CALM, The Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Innovations and a range of commercial, third sector, NHS and local authority partners, including Mental Health First Aid England.

It has also received celebrity backing. Actor, writer and mental health advocate Stephen Fry is voicing a new television advert that highlights ‘what works for me’ and provides details of simple steps people can take to support their mental health, such as being active, talking about their worries or taking up a hobby.

He spoke in support of the campaign, saying:

“It’s fair to say that the last 18 months have presented us all with uniquely different and challenging obstacles from a mental health perspective. However, just like keeping in physical shape, it is important to find activities you enjoy to keep your mind healthy.

“I’ve found food preparation and cooking has helped me relax over the past year. It’s all about finding what works best for you to help deal with the everyday stresses and strains of life – it could be exercise, baking a cake or getting stuck in with gardening – the list is endless.

“If you are struggling and need advice then check out the Every Mind Matters website for tips and guidance to get you started today.”

Mental health training and support

Mental health learning and development solutions can also play a significant role in helping managers, supervisors and frontline workers to recognise mental health risks and proactively support positive mental health and wellbeing across the UK workforce.

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care, safeguarding and more.

An accredited Mindful Employer themselves, FRT’s specialist mental health training courses include Understanding Mental Health, Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace, Managing Stress in the Workplace, Anxiety and Phobias Awareness, Self-Harm Awareness and Suicide Awareness.

They can also provide qualified, approved trainers to deliver accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training courses, including the Adult, Youth and Lite versions.

A trainer from FRT says:

“It’s vitally important that we prioritise our mental health and wellbeing in the same way that we do our physical health.

“There are simple steps we can all take to proactively support and promote positive mental wellbeing and it’s important that people are aware of these and that we are focusing on preventative strategies as well as treatment and recovery for those that need it. Our mental health courses look at ways of supporting mental health, including Mind’s five ways to wellbeing, and explore techniques to build emotional resilience.

“Businesses and organisations across the UK can experience immense benefits if they provide relevant mental health training for their staff.”

We have a number of free infographics available to download which provide simple tips for helping to manage your mental health and wellbeing. These include:

You can also download our free Guide to Mental Health Training from our website.

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Skills for Care launch Day of Remembrance and Reflection

Skills for Care have joined with 20 other social care bodies in England to launch the new Social Care Day of Remembrance and Reflection.

Supported by the Department of Health and Social Care and the Minister of State for Social Care, Helen Whately, the memorial day will honour the work of the adult social care workforce throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and remember those who sadly lost their lives.

The first Social Care Day of Remembrance and Reflection will be held in March 2022.

Twenty-one organisations came together to launch the memorial day after the adult social care workforce experienced a particularly challenging 18 months.

It is intended to honour the tireless work and huge sacrifices made by social care workers during the pandemic as well as to remember the estimated 922 staff members who tragically lost their lives to Covid-19 between March 2020 and May 2021.

Tributes to remember care workers

Tributes to care workers can be shared on The Care Workers’ Charity website, where they have launched a dedicated Memorial Wall and Thank You Wall.

Care providers, care workers and those who use care and support services are also encouraged to honour the day through other activities, such as by planting a tree in honour of a lost care worker, holding a minute’s silence or creating a piece of art.

The CEO of Skills for Care, Oonagh Smith, said the workforce development charity was “delighted” to launch the Social Care Day of Remembrance and Reflection, which would thank social care workers for their crucial care and support.

She added:

“As we lead up to the day itself in March, we encourage those who work in social care, those who draw on care and support, and all members of the public to share their tributes to those people in the social care workforce who have had a positive impact on their lives and communities, through our online Memorial Wall and Thank You Wall.

“We look forward to marking the day in March – a day which is sure to be one of mixed emotions as we reflect on the vital contribution of the social care workforce during the pandemic and at all times, and we encourage as many people as possible to join in and ‘Remember Social Care’ on this day.”

Meanwhile, Helen Whately, Minister for Care, spoke of the “bravery of the social care workforce.”

She said:

“Our hearts go out to the families, friends and colleagues who have sadly lost loved ones and we will take this time to honour and remember them.

“We have worked to protect health and social care staff throughout the pandemic and we will continue to support them and their families in any way we can.”

Supporting adult social care through training

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider.

They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.

Care home residents are at higher risk from coronavirusTheir diverse portfolio includes training awards designed for health and social organisations, such as Infection Control and Prevention, Safeguarding Adults, Duty of Care, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Understanding Mental Health and many others.

First Response Training are a Skills for Care Endorsed Learning Provider for the delivery of classroom, e-learning and webinar training to the social care workforce.

As an Endorsed Provider, FRT have also recently been awarded grant funding to provide free Covid-19 Essential Training for adult social care workers, including Rapid Induction training for new starters, Refresher Training Programmes for existing staff and an exclusive Volunteer Training Programme for all volunteers in the sector.

A trainer from FRT explains:

“We know first-hand from the many organisations we work with that the social care workforce are hard-working and dedicated to providing high quality, safe and compassionate care for those they support. They have been through an incredibly challenging time and wholeheartedly deserve this recognition and thanks.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Half of frontline workers say job pressures are ‘out of control’

An 18-month long study into wellbeing within the emergency services has found that frontline healthcare workers are exhausted and at high risk of experiencing mental health disorders and burnout.

The detailed report from mental health digital platform 87percent.co.uk, entitled The State of Mental Wellbeing on the Frontline, reveals that almost 1 in 2 (49%) frontline workers find their work commitments to be “out of control”, while 61% feel tired most of the time.

Over 10,000 frontline workers were tracked from March 2020 to examine how the Covid-19 mental health crisis has impacted this vital and high-pressured sector.

Emergency services face mental health crisis

Key figures from the report reveal the mental health crisis erupting within the sector following a period of enormous pressure. These include:

  • 10% of staff have recently had suicidal thoughts
  • 45% have felt panic or terror
  • 49% have been distressed by unwanted images and memories
  • 33% have difficulty concentrating
  • 32% report regular symptoms of depression and anxiety
  • 40% are at risk of developing mental health disorders
  • 39% report feeling regularly frustrated by their work

The study found that the majority of staff (60%) had an extremely poor work-life balance, with paramedics, emergency nurses and physicians most likely to report this.

The majority of frontline workers also revealed that their job takes a significant toll on their physical and psychological wellbeing, with 65% saying it made it difficult to sleep, while 63% said it prevents them from being physically fit and healthy. Over half (53%) also reported that the pressures of their job make it difficult to relax.

The researchers are warning that frontline healthcare workers are at high risk of developing conditions such as chronic stress, which can lead to burnout.

Commenting on the report, the Medical Director of NHS Practitioner Health, Dame Clare Gerada, said:

“Within the NHS workforce, many report feeling defeated by work, and these challenges are still unaddressed. Now is the time to normalise rather than catastrophise this sector’s distress and reduce the burden of mental illness on those who care for us.

“Every member of this workforce should be given support, and we must make easy access to services a priority. This report is timely and adds to the evidence that a real and genuine focus on the mental health and wellbeing of this sector will have a positive impact for the national health service.”

Proactive policies needed to improve mental health

Meanwhile, 87percent.co.uk say that the data from their study will provide workers and employers with “the tools that are clinically proven to improve their mental wellbeing.”

They assert that digital solutions can give employers insights on the most effective strategies for supporting and boosting the mental health and wellbeing of their staff.

Their clinical director Doctor Serra Pitts, who is also an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, says it’s vital that employers within the healthcare sector are proactive rather than reactive when it comes to managing mental health.

She explained that they can:

“[…] significantly improve the wellbeing of the frontline sector by having proactive policies that help to maintain work-life balance, access to wellbeing resources and expert-delivered training to equip leadership with the skills to understand the wellbeing challenges of their workforce.”

She added: “Crucially, technology can play a part in accurately measuring the mental fitness of workers and driving insights on the most effective wellbeing strategies for organisations. Tailored to their employees’ needs, these can significantly reduce the risk of mental health difficulties and help organisations thrive.”

Training solutions can support mental health

Mental health learning and development solutions can also play a significant role in helping managers, supervisors and frontline workers to recognise mental health risks and proactively support positive mental health and wellbeing across the workforce.

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care, safeguarding and more.

They work with a large number of providers within the health and social care sector, from NHS services to national and local adult social care providers.

An accredited Mindful Employer themselves, FRT’s specialist mental health training courses include Understanding Mental Health, Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace, Managing Stress in the Workplace, Anxiety and Phobias Awareness, Self-Harm Awareness and Suicide Awareness.

They can also provide qualified, approved trainers to deliver accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training courses, including the Adult, Youth and Lite versions.

A trainer from FRT says:

“Those working within the health and social care sector have dealt with immense pressure and sadness over the last two years, including changing guidelines, equipment shortages, overwhelmed services, staff shortages, isolation, illness and loss. They have been at the coal face of this pandemic the entire time. It’s not surprising that it has taken its toll on their mental health and wellbeing.

“It’s vitally important for those within this sector to receive mental health care and support, and for organisations to ensure that relevant mental health training is provided for staff.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

What we need to know about Covid-19 transmission as the UK unlocks

Now that the majority of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions have been removed in England, and with other UK nations also easing controls, the PROTECT COVID-19 National Core Study offers some key points to keep in mind.

The PROTECT COVID-19 National Core Study on transmission and environment is a UK-wide research programme designed to improve our understanding of how Covid-19 is transmitted from person-to-person.

The study is examining how transmission of the virus varies in different settings and environments in order to enable more effective measures to be introduced to prevent transmission, with the aim of saving lives and helping us move back to a ‘normal’ life.

Led by the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Andrew Curran, the study involves more than 70 researchers from 16 institutions across the UK.

It commenced in October 2020 as part of the Covid-19 National Core Studies programme, which was established by the government’s Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance. Funded by the treasury, it is due to run until March 2022.

The key points we all need to remember

Now, a one-page briefing document has been published to outline the key points we all need to know about transmission of virus, based on evidence from the study.

It is hoped that this knowledge can be utilised by policymakers, businesses and individuals to help them manage the associated risks from coronavirus and reduce transmission.

The document outlines three key things to remember about Covid-19 virus transmission:

  1. Transmission is a continuous risk. Covid-19 transmission can occur in any of the environments that we populate and pass through during the day, including the workplace. Outbreak investigations conducted as part of the PROTECT study have shown that effective risk management should focus on small spaces such as canteens, changing areas and meeting rooms as well as the spaces that people inhabit for the majority of their working day, such as office spaces or factory floors. Work-associated transmission can also occur when commuting or socialising with colleagues.
  2. There are three main routes of transmission and all must be addressed for effective risk management. This means that, in every setting and during every activity, measures should be in place to reduce transmission via surfaces, directly from person-to-person via inhaled particles, and through the air in a shared room. Lab-based experiments, computer modelling and human volunteer studies have demonstrated that face coverings can be effective in reducing all three routes of transmission, as long as they are worn correctly and by the majority of people. Perspex screens can also be effective in blocking larger particles at close range but should not be relied upon to prevent airborne transmission. In fact, airborne transmission is the most difficult to control and improving ventilation is key to this.
  3. Control measures are more effective if introduced pre-emptively. Agent-based modelling has demonstrated that measures can limit transmission when introduced early but are much less effective if an outbreak is already underway. This means that organisations should implement good baseline measures from the start if they are to effectively manage transmission risks in the workplace. Such measures include social distancing, ventilation, testing and isolation. The PROTECT study is working to develop evidence on the most effective combination of measures and the optimum time of intervention within different environments and situations.

The one-page briefing document can be viewed and downloaded online.

Further training and support

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider. They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.

sanitisation remains crucialTheir diverse portfolio includes training awards in Infection Control, Lone Working, Risk Assessment, Managing and Supervising Safety, Managing Stress in the Workplace and Understanding Mental Health, among many others.

They also offer a portfolio of e-learning training courses, including COVID-19 Infection prevention, identification and control.

A trainer from FRT explains:

“We’re at a really key point in the pandemic and it is important to remember that, while restrictions have mainly been removed, Covid-19 is still present in society and still poses a risk. Responsible businesses will maintain control measures to keep workers, clients and the general public safe and these three key points will help them determine how to do this most effectively.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

IOSH urges caution as people return to workplaces

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has urged caution over the gradual return of staff to workplaces.

Speaking after the government confirmed that England would move to the final stage of its gradual easing of Covid-19 lockdown measures, IOSH’s Head of Advice and Practice, Duncan Spencer, warned: “Covid-19 still poses a significant threat, so we urge businesses to ensure they continue to do all they can to protect staff from contracting it.”

Ensure a healthy and safe return to work

As the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, spoke out to encourage workers to head back into the office and other workplaces, IOSH advised that businesses be guided by health and safety professionals.

Mr Smith said that risk assessments formed the “starting point” for a safe return to workplaces, “as they can help to identify proportionate controls to protect workers, clients, consumers and communities.”

Advocating continued caution, he added:

“With Covid risks, this might include a reasonable request for people to continue wearing face masks and observe social distancing measures.

“Employers might wish to emulate other socially conscious organisations by asking workers to test themselves regularly, including supplying them with lateral flow test kits.

“It is crucial that any preventative measures are communicated clearly, thereby empowering people to work safely while this disease remains a significant threat.”

Maintain control measures

The (HSE) has issued advice about workplace controls that businesses should maintain despite the removal of lockdown restrictions and social distancing guidance.

Britain’s health and safety watchdog says that organisations must still control the risks of Covid-19 transmission and should continue to review and update their risk assessment.

The following workplace control measures also remain unchanged:

Employers are also advised that communicating with workers and representatives about health and safety matters helps to reduce risks.

The HSE continues to conduct Covid-19 spot checks and inspections to ensure that businesses across the country are managing the risks.

Consider mental health and wellbeing

As a recent survey suggested that 40% of workers feel less resilient now than they did before the pandemic, and that over half feel under pressure to mask mental health challenges as they return to the workplace, transmission of Covid-19 is not the only risk that employers need to manage.

Indeed, Duncan Smith at IOSH agreed that “employers also need to consider the impact of returning to work on people’s mental health and wellbeing, with the possibility that staff may be deeply concerned about returning.”

He added:

“We advocate that open and non-stigmatised conversations are proactively arranged by line managers as part of a strong overall mental health and wellbeing strategy.

“Organisations need to be safe from Covid and safe from the mental health consequences of this pandemic and the impact it has on people’s lives.”

Further training and support for the workplace

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider. They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.

Their diverse portfolio includes training awards in Infection Control, Lone Working, Risk Assessment, Managing and Supervising Safety, Managing Stress in the Workplace and Understanding Mental Health, among many others.

They also offer a portfolio of e-learning training courses, including COVID-19 Infection prevention, identification and control.

A trainer from FRT explains:

“Businesses must ensure they conduct a thorough Covid-19 risk assessment and have effective measures in place for cleaning, hygiene and handwashing, ventilation and protecting vulnerable workers. Continuing measures such as social distancing, working from home and wearing face coverings should also be considered where appropriate.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Self-isolation exemption for care staff poses ‘significant risks’

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) has warned that a new exemption from self-isolation rules for double-jabbed care staff poses “very significant risks.”

In a press release, the directors’ body said the policy shift, which means that frontline adult social care staff who have received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine are not required to self-isolate after contact with a confirmed Covid-19 case, could bring further harm to those using services.

Changes to self-isolation guidance

The changes, which came into effect last month, mean that fully vaccinated care workers whose absence could cause significant risks to the health or safety of service users can continue to work even after being contacted by NHS Test and Trace or advised to self-isolate by the NHS Covid-19 app.

Such workers can only ignore self-isolation guidance if they have no Covid symptoms and have received a negative PCR test. They must also have daily negative lateral flow tests for the required self-isolation period.

Staff must also comply with all relevant infection control procedures and should not work with clinically extremely vulnerable people.

The organisation’s management should also ensure that a risk assessment is carried out and authorisation must be granted by its lead professional for health protection or the relevant director of public health.

If, at any point, the staff member receives a positive test or starts to experience symptoms of Covid-19, they must stop working and self-isolate fully.

Temporary measure to alleviate pressures in care

The government introduced the change in guidelines as a temporary measure before the introduction of a general exemption from self-isolation rules for all fully vaccinated contacts from 16th August. It has been brought in to relieve pressure on care services that were dealing with high levels of self-isolation as a result of rising infection rates.

However, ADASS has said that, while it supports measures to alleviate the immense pressures placed on care staff, it had “concerns that this announcement presents very significant risks,” during a period of high and rising community transmission rates.

The association pointed out that social care staff “work with people who are the most vulnerable to Covid: older, disabled and mentally unwell people, among others.”

They added:

“These are the very people, alongside care (and NHS) staff who have suffered most through the pandemic. Our priority must be to absolutely minimise further harm.

“Our concerns are magnified by the fact that there has been an immediate change in policy with no prior warning, guidance and information about the change and how this can be introduced safely. The policy is intended to be applied on a case-by-case basis, and with a full risk assessment, but the absence of information and guidance raises the risk of blanket applications.”

Calls for urgent guidance and funding

ADASS have called for urgent guidance and funding to support the new policy, while public service union UNISON raised concerns that some “reckless employers” may pressure staff who have had contact with a confirmed Covid case to return to work when it is not appropriate for them to do so.

Christine, McAnea, General Secretary, explained: “If care workers who’ve been in contact with someone with the virus are pushed back to work without proper safeguards in place, the consequences could be dreadful.

“Everything possible must be done to ensure staff in hospitals and care homes don’t bring in the virus or take it home. That includes making sure they are fully paid when sick or isolating.”

ADASS also reiterated their call for urgent, long-term, fundamental changes to the funding of adult social care:

“Social care needs fixing. Care staff shortages, acute staff retention challenges, a low remunerated workforce, an avalanche of need rising from the pandemic – these underlying issues will only be addressed with a clear Government long-term plan to reform social care, one that gives local authorities sustainable funding, direction and capacity to truly transform lives.”

Further support and training

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider.

They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.

Care workers have taken risks during the pandemicTheir diverse portfolio includes training awards designed for health and social organisations, such as Infection Control and Prevention, Safeguarding Adults, Duty of Care, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Understanding Mental Health and many others.

First Response Training are a Skills for Care Endorsed Learning Provider for the delivery of classroom, e-learning and webinar training to the social care workforce.

As an Endorsed Provider, FRT have also recently been awarded grant funding to provide free Covid-19 Essential Training for adult social care workers, including Rapid Induction training for new starters.

A trainer from FRT explains:

“There is no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic has taken a massive toll on health and social care workers and those who receive care and support services; they have been through so much and are still under tremendous pressure.

“Safe and sensible measures to help relieve this pressure and ensure everyone can receive the highest quality care and support are always welcomed, but it is important that the correct information, guidance and training is in place to safeguard health, safety and wellbeing at all times.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Workers feel under pressure to hide mental health struggles

A survey has found that many UK workers feel under pressure to hide their mental health struggles and “put on a brave face” at work as the government encourages them to head back to the office.

The survey of more than 2,000 people, commissioned by online healthcare provider Lime Insurance, found that just over half (51%) of respondents felt under pressure to disguise any mental health concerns from their colleagues.

Meanwhile, 4 in 10 said they felt less resilient than they did before the Covid-19 pandemic struck and just over a quarter (26%) said they did not feel as though they were coping at work.

‘Pleasanteeism’ undermines resilience

The research reveals that almost a fifth of workers (19%) are concerned about their stress and difficulty in coping being visible to others as they return to work.

Despite these fears, many feel they are not able to mask their stress and anxiety very well, with nearly 1 in 5 respondents admitting that they believe their colleagues are aware that they are hiding deeper issues.

Lime has coined the term “pleasanteeism” to describe how workers are putting on a brave face and presenting the very best versions of themselves in the workplace.

This pressure to keep up appearances is undermining efforts to create an open culture and dialogue concerning mental health at work, eroding resilience and impacting productivity, with Lime describing it as a “plague” on UK businesses.

While trying to mask their mental health challenges, 44% of workers said they felt that low personal resilience impacts their ability to do their job effectively and many admitted that stress and poor mental health has caused them to have an unproductive day (28%), lose concentration or make a mistake at work (17%), forget an important task (17%) or call in sick (9%).

The study from Lime concludes that:

“Businesses are sleepwalking into a mental health crisis.”

Workers encouraged to head back to the office

The stress of the commute can lead our buckets to overflowIt comes as the government encourages people to stop working from home and gradually return to workplaces, with chancellor Rishi Sunak suggesting this was particularly important for younger workers.

He told LinkedIn News: “I doubt I would have had those strong relationships if I was doing my summer internship or my first bit of my career over Teams and Zoom.

“That’s why I think, for young people in particular, being able to physically be in an office is valuable.”

The recent survey results, however, indicate that young people are particularly likely to be experiencing mental health concerns.

The researchers found that 43% of women aged 16-24 and almost half (49%) of men aged 16-24 feel less resilient now than they did before the pandemic.

They also noted that women feel they are under more pressure than their male colleagues to hide any mental health struggles from employers and colleagues, with younger women feeling the pressure the most.

Employers need to do more

Less than 1 in 6 respondents (16%) said they felt their mental health was “very well supported” in the workplace, while over a third (36%) said they did not feel as though their employers offered them enough support generally.

This is despite the fact that the vast majority of workers (81%) want their employers to give them help with their mental wellbeing. Now, the research suggests, 4 in 10 workers are prepared to look for a new job if their employer does not do more.

When asked how employers could help support their mental health and wellbeing, respondents suggested the following measures:

  • Focusing on workload and work/life balance (25%)
  • Allowing greater flexibility in working hours (22%)
  • Enabling workers time out for personal commitments (20%)
  • Offering mental health days off work (20%)

The Head of Workplace Wellbeing at national mental health charity Mind, Emma Mamo, said there was no “one size fits all” approach to creating an open culture of mental health in the workplace, but that “regularly communicating and providing opportunities for staff to talk about any issues they’re facing,” are vital steps for employers to take.

She also advises employers to conduct staff surveys to understand the causes and triggers for poor mental health at work so they can implement measures to mitigate these. Small businesses can seek guidance from HR support services for small businesses that specialize in providing tailored solutions for small businesses.

Mind asserts that “a culture of fear and silence around mental health is costly to employers”, and provides free resources to help improve mental wellbeing and employee engagement.

The full report from Lime can be viewed and downloaded online.

Further mental health support and training

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider delivering a wide and diverse range of training courses.

They can provide training in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, safeguarding, mental health, health and social care and other specialist subjects.

Their specialist mental health training range includes Understanding Mental Health, Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace, Managing Stress in the Workplace, Anxiety Awareness, Self-Harm Awareness and Suicide Awareness.

They can also provide externally accredited trainers to deliver Mental Health First Aid England training courses, including Adult, Youth, Champion and Lite versions.

A trainer from FRT says:

“As we hopefully continue to recover from the pandemic and return to some sort of normal, mental health and wellbeing needs to be high on the agenda for everyone.

“The government has promised to improve mental health support as part of their efforts to ‘build back better’ after the pandemic, but employers also need to look at what they can do to promote and support positive mental health and wellbeing among their employees

“As with most things, prevention is better than cure and it’s important that we really shift from a reactive approach when it comes to protecting our mental health.

“Training can really help with this; our mental health training courses include content on supporting your mental health at all times, and building emotional resilience.”

For more information about the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

CQC publishes data showing Covid-19 death notifications

The Care Quality Commission has praised the efforts of care staff during the pandemic as it published data showing death notifications involving Covid-19 received from individual care homes over the past 12 months.

CQC publishes data showing Covid-19 death notificationsThe CQC’s latest Insight Report has also drawn on this data to establish key points and provides crucial context to help understand what the data means.

The data, featuring notifications received between 10th April 2020 and 31st March 2021 from care homes across all regions, shows that Covid-19 has contributed to a significant increase in the number of deaths in nursing and residential care settings.

Death notifications do not equal poor care

England’s care watchdog was quick to point out, however, that death notifications “do not in themselves indicate poor quality care.”

Covid-19 death notifications from individual care homes are reviewedIn fact, in a press release accompanying the publication of the data, they emphasised that, across all types of care settings, “staff have gone to great lengths to try to contain the effects of this virus, as our report published today on infection prevention and control in hospitals shows.”

They explained that many factors, including the rate of transmission in the local community, the size of the care home and the age, health and care needs of residents can all potentially influence the number of deaths.

Many of the notifications also relate to the deaths of care home residents which occurred when they were receiving care in other settings, meaning the death notification does not necessarily indicate that Covid-19 was present in the care home.

Data used in inspection decisions

The figures have been presented alongside government data on all Covid-19 deaths. This is because care homes form part of the local community and so are impacted when Covid-19 is prevalent in the area.

Data on Covid-19 death notifications is available onlineDeaths are counted as involving Covid-19 based on the statement made by the care home provider. This may or may not correspond to an official medical diagnosis or test result and may or may not be reflected on the death certificate.

The CQC has used information from individual care homes about deaths involving Covid-19 alongside other information to make decisions about where to inspect.

The watchdog conducted 5,577 inspections of residential adult social care providers during the period the data covers. These included wider ongoing monitoring of adult social care services and specific infection prevention control inspections, which focused on eight key criteria to ensure services had an effective approach.

These inspections looked at whether staff had been properly trained to deal with outbreaks and whether there was adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) available for both staff and residents.

While enforcement action had to be taken in a small number of cases, CQC inspectors found “generally high levels of assurance.”

A duty to be transparent

Commenting on the publication of the data on death notifications, the Chief Inspector for Adult Social Care at the CQC, Kate Terroni, explained:

“In considering this data it is important to remember that every number represents a life lost – and families, friends and those who cared for them who are having to face the sadness and consequences of their death.

“We are grateful for the time that families who lost their loved ones during the pandemic have spent meeting with us and the personal experiences they have shared. These discussions have helped us shape our thinking around the highly sensitive issue of publishing information on the numbers of death notifications involving Covid-19 received from individual care homes.”

She said that, as an independent regulator, the CQC has “a duty to be transparent and to act in the public interest” and that this has dictated their decision to publish the data.

“In doing so, we aim to provide a more comprehensive picture of the impact of Covid-19 on care homes, the people living in them and their families,” she added.

“It is important to be clear, however, that although this data relates to deaths of people who were care home residents, many of them did not die in or contract Covid-19 in a care home.”

“As we publish this data, we ask for consideration and respect to be shown to people living in care homes, to families who have been affected, and to the staff who have done everything they could, in incredibly difficult circumstances, to look after those in their care.”

The data can be viewed on an online dashboard.

Further support and training for care settings

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider. They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care and more.

Their health and social care range includes Infection Control and Prevention, Handling and Recording Information, Dignity in Care, Duty of Care, Safeguarding Adults and many more.

They can also provide an e-learning course in COVID-19 Infection prevention, identification and control.

As a Skills for Care Endorsed Provider, FRT have also recently been awarded grant funding to provide free Covid-19 Essential Training for adult social care workers, including Rapid Induction training for new starters.

A trainer from FRT says: “The adult social care workforce is full of dedicated, compassionate workers who do their best for the people they support each and every day.

“The past year has been incredibly challenging across the sector, and it’s important to understand the full impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on adult social care services and the people receiving care and support from them, while remembering the wider context and local community picture.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Children with SEND disproportionately affected by pandemic

A new report from Ofsted has revealed that children and young people with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) have been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Children with SEND disproportionately affected during covidThe report contains the findings of joint visits made to local areas by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) during the autumn term of 2020 and the spring term of 2021.

It states that long-standing issues and weaknesses in the system of care for children and young people with SEND have been exacerbated by the disruption of the pandemic.

Children and families ‘out of sight’

It says that children and families have suffered as a result of missed or narrowed education, the withdrawal of essential services such as physiotherapy or speech and language support, and long waiting times for assessment and treatment.

Ofsted inspectors reported that, by Spring 2021, families were often exhausted and despairing when they were still unable to access essential services for their children.

The pandemic and resulting national lockdowns have placed children with SEND ‘out of sight’ of services and led to a worsening situation within the SEND system.

The report cites:

  • Weaknesses in universal education, health and care services which have resulted in children and young people not learning essential skills and knowledge and then mistakenly being identified as having SEND
  • Significant inconsistencies in how SEND are identified
  • A lack of joined-up commissioning and joint working across education, health and care services
  • A lack of clarity between organisations about who is responsible and accountable within local area SEND systems

Experiences for children with SEND vary

Children with SEND out of sight of services during pandemicOfsted found that the experiences of children and families were partly determined by the quality of their relationships with practitioners, as well as the strength of partnership working in their local area.

They were also impacted by the extent to which the local area had implemented the government’s 2014 SEND reforms.

The report states that it is vital that all education settings are ambitious for every child and young person with SEND and that all individuals receive a good quality curriculum and teaching. This was particularly highlighted in relation to the teaching of language and early reading skills.

Improvements for the SEND system

The report contains several recommendations for improvement within the SEND system. These include:

  • More accessible universal services for children and their families, delivered by practitioners with a strong understanding of how to meet the needs of children and young people with SEND
  • More accurate identification when children need targeted or specialist support and higher aspirations for children and young people with SEND
  • A greater sense of joint responsibility between partners in a local area, clearer accountability for different organisations within local systems, and greater coordination of universal, target and specialist local services so children get the right support at the right time

Ofsted have been working with the CQC to develop a new inspection framework which is aimed at driving further improvements in the SEND system and better supporting children and young people at what is described as a “critical moment.”

HM Chief Inspector of Schools, Amanda Spielman, commented on the report’s findings:

“Many local area leaders and practitioners have gone above and beyond to support children and young people with SEND and their families during this challenging time.

“However, our report shows that children and young people were not always getting the education and care they needed, even before the pandemic.

“As the damaging effects of the pandemic on children and young people with SEND become clear, so too does the need to ensure that we are all playing our role in supporting them. We will work closely with CQC to develop a new framework to support improvement in the way education, health and care services work together to get the best possible outcomes for children.”

Improve awareness and support

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care, safeguarding and more.

They work with a large number of early years and childcare providers, as well as schools, colleges, and children’s services.

They can provide training in SEND Awareness, Dyslexia Awareness, ADHD Awareness, Introduction to the Autistic Spectrum and Learning Disability Awareness among other special focus subjects.

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

‘Disruptive’ Covid school rules to end

Covid-19 control measures for schools, which mean that groups of pupils have to self-isolate when one tests positive, could come to an end in the autumn, it has been suggested.

The new Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, has pledged to address the issue after figures revealed that 279,000 children in England were self-isolating after having potentially been in contact with a positive case at school.

He admitted the self-isolation policy was “having a huge knock-on impact,” on children’s education.

The resulting disruption for schools and households has also led to frustration among parents and teachers alike.

The Department for Education has now written to secondary schools to ask them to prepare for a potential change in rules after the summer break and ministers are considering options, which could include daily testing for secondary school pupils.

‘Alarming situation’ for pupils

The Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, said that children and young people urgently need to get back to normal after the “real trauma” of lockdown restrictions.

She believes that the practice of grouping children into bubbles – which are often made up of their year group or form – should end as soon as possible. Currently, when one child tests positive, their whole bubble must self-isolate.

The founder of the multi-academy trust Oasis Schools, has told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that 10% of his pupils – equating to around 3,000 children – were currently off school due to Covid rules.

He described it as a “pretty alarming situation and we would say that something needs to be done about this now.”

On-site testing pilot

Schools minister Nick Gibb said the guidelines for schools had been brought in by the government as part of “important measures to help us deal with this pandemic,” but that ministers would now be examining data from an on-site testing pilot taking place at some secondary schools and colleges to see whether there was an “effective alternative to self-isolation.”

He explained that the current trials involved “daily contact testing, where somebody who has come into contact with somebody with Covid, instead of self-isolating, takes a test every day, and if they are negative, they can go into school.”

Ministers will not make any final decisions until the results have been examined but recognise that any changes to self-isolation rules must be announced before the end of the current school term, so they can be implemented after the summer break.

Plan for the worst

It comes as official figures for 24th June showed that more than 375,000 primary and secondary school pupils in England were off school due to Covid-related reasons, representing an increase of more than 100,000 pupils in one week.

Absences included those who had suspected contacts in the wider community as well as 24,000 possible infections among students themselves.

The Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, Kevin Courtney, said that any changes to rules needed “consideration of the logistical challenge facing schools and colleges.”

He added:

“We should hope for the best – that vaccination of adults solves the problem – but plan for the worst, considering the options around mass testing, vaccination of secondary students and improvements in ventilation, for example.”

The Scottish government are also reviewing their approach to self-isolation for school children, who will begin a new term in August and, in Wales, the Education Minister says he is looking at best practice to ensure that the number of pupils isolating is not disproportionate.

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care, safeguarding and more.

They work with a large number of early years and childcare providers, as well as schools, colleges, and children’s services. Their courses include Paediatric First Aid Safeguarding Children.

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Department for Education had ‘no plan’ to deal with pandemic

A group of MPs has claimed that the Department for Education (DfE) had “no plan” to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.

A report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) says the DfE struggled to react to the unfolding pandemic in a timely and effective way and that their failure to set standards for both in-school and remote learning meant children in England “had very unequal experiences” over the past year.

The Chair of the PAC, Meg Hillier MP, said they were “concerned that the DfE appears uninterested in learning lessons from earlier in the pandemic, preferring to wait until the public inquiry, which won’t report for years.”

She added: “It shows little energy and determination to ensure that it’s catch-up offer is sufficient to undo the damage of the past 14 months.”

It comes as the government is due to publish its recovery plan to ensure that pupils in England catch up on the learning they may have missed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The PAC is concerned that the DfE “has worthy aspirations but little specific detail about how it will build the school system back better,” and that plans aimed at supporting poorer pupils are failing to reach them.

Ms Hillier said that the pandemic has exposed “a very ugly truth” about children living in poverty and disadvantage.

The government did provide 1.3 million laptops and tablets to poorer children to aid home learning during the pandemic, but Ms Hillier says that online learning still remained “inaccessible to many children, even in later lockdowns, and there is no commitment to ongoing additional funding for IT.”

Commenting on the report, the general secretary of head teachers’ union NAHT, Paul Whiteman, said it was “extremely disappointing but not surprising.”

He added: “Throughout the pandemic, the DfE has been playing catch-up. The individual efforts of schools have almost always been quicker and better than anything centrally managed from Whitehall.”

The union has launched its own blueprint for school recovery in which it is calling on the government to make a significant investment to ensure the futures of children and young people are not harmed as a result of the pandemic.

A spokesperson from the DfE responded to the report, saying that they had “acted swiftly at every turn to help minimise the impact on pupils’ education and provide extensive support for schools, colleges and early years settings.

“The department has updated and strengthened its remote education expectations as best practice has developed and schools’ capabilities have increased.”

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care, safeguarding and more.

They work with a large number of early years and childcare providers, as well as schools, colleges, and children’s services. Their courses include Safeguarding Children.

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

HSE continues COVID spot checks

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned businesses that it will be continuing to carry out Covid-19 spot checks and inspections as the nation continues on the roadmap out of lockdown.

Britain’s health and safety watchdog is working with local authorities to carry out spot checks and inspections on local businesses as the economy reopens.

They say that, as more businesses reopen their doors, the opportunity for Covid-19 to spread only increases, “so it is critical that businesses shouldn’t become complacent. They still need to have Covid-secure measures in place.”

All businesses in line for inspection

Spot checks and inspections are being carried out on all types of businesses in all areas.

Inspectors will be checking the measures that organisations have put in place to manage and reduce the risks posed from coronavirus, ensuring they are in line with current government guidance.

They will be visiting businesses that have continued their operations throughout the pandemic, as well as those that have only recently reopened or are planning to reopen soon.

The HSE says it is assisting local authorities to target premises in the sectors they regulate, such as hospitality and retail.

Businesses must manage Covid risks

sanitisation remains crucialInspectors will offer businesses advice and guidance during spot checks and inspections, but the watchdog has made clear that action will be taken against any organisation that isn’t managing the risk from Covid-19.

The HSE has the power to issue enforcement notices and halt certain work activities until they are made safe.

Any business that does not comply with HSE action could be prosecuted.

The HSE has outlined some general Covid-secure measures that businesses should have in place:

  • A Covid-19 risk assessment for your workplace, which is updated to reflect any changes in legislation or guidance that may impact on your work activities.
  • Social distancing measures to ensure people are kept 2-metres apart or, where this is not possible, 1-metre apart with additional measures in place, such as screens.
  • Strict cleaning, hygiene and handwashing procedures for your workplace and staff.
  • Proper ventilation and air conditioning to help reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading.
  • Information for workers about providing support and maintaining Covid-19 control measures.
  • Suitable measures to support staff to work from home where required, such as appropriate equipment and regular contact to ensure their wellbeing.
  • Control measures, support, and information to help protect workers who are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus.

Engage with the HSE to protect communities

The Director of Transformation and Operational Services at HSE, Angela Storey, explained: “As we come out of lockdown, we are continuing to work with local authorities to check businesses are Covid-secure and providing guidance and advice where needed.

“Our spot checks and inspections support the cross-government work in helping employers and employees that have worked throughout the pandemic and those returning as lockdown measures ease. All workplaces are in scope for spot checks which means businesses of any size, in any sector, can receive an unannounced check from HSE or an inspection from the local authority, to check they are Covid-secure.

“If you are contacted by the HSE or your local authority, please engage with us. By checking businesses have measures in place to manage the risks, we can benefit the health of local communities as well as support the local and national UK economy.”

The HSE provides guidance on remaining Covid-secure on their website.

Training can help you manage the risks

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider. They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.

Infection control is crucialTheir diverse portfolio includes training awards in Infection Control, Lone Working, Risk Assessment, Managing and Supervising Safety, Managing Stress in the Workplace and Understanding Mental Health, among many others.

They also offer a portfolio of e-learning training courses, including COVID-19 Infection prevention, identification and control.

A trainer from FRT explains: “After many months of restrictions, it’s great to see things start to open back up and many businesses begin to return to some sort of normal. This is vitally important for the economy as well as for the mental health and wellbeing of employers and employees.

“It’s equally important, though, that, as restrictions ease, we do not let our guard down and continue to ensure that we are following guidance at all times to control the still-present risk of coronavirus.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Landmark mental health study reveals rise in loneliness

A landmark mental health study reveals a mixed picture for the UK one year after the Covid-19 pandemic took hold, with more adults experiencing loneliness.

The Mental Health in the Pandemic study, which began shortly before the first national lockdown in March 2020 and has asked questions of the UK public at 10 intervals since, generating around 36,000 responses, shows that the coronavirus crisis has had wide and deep emotional impacts on adults in the UK.

Although the results show that anxiety about the pandemic has become less common one year on, falling from 62% in March 2020 to 42% in February this year, other measures have worsened.

Loneliness has become more common, rising from 1 in 10 of those surveyed in March 2020 to more than 1 in 4 (26%) by February 2021.

Among 18-24-year-olds, this figure almost doubled to 48% of those surveyed. This represents a sharp rise in loneliness among young adults in the UK, with just 16% admitting that they had felt lonely over the previous two weeks in March 2020.

In fact, the study showed that feelings of loneliness among all UK adults had not returned to their pre-lockdown levels at any point over the last 12 months, including when most restrictions were lifted during the summer.

Fewer people also felt that they were coping well with the stress of the pandemic.

The study shows a slow and steady fall in this area, with 73% of UK adults reporting that they felt they were coping well with the stress of the pandemic in April 2020, compared to 64% in February 2021.

The study, conducted in partnership between the Mental Health Foundation and the universities of Cambridge, Swansea, de Montfort Leicester, Strathclyde and Queen’s Belfast, also revealed:

  • Feelings of hopelessness had not altered much. In March 2020, 18% of people surveyed said they had felt hopeless about the Covid-19 pandemic over the previous fortnight. This remained the same in February 2021
  • The number of people experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings in the previous two weeks had risen from 8% in April 2020 to 13% in February 2021. It is not yet clear whether the pandemic will affect suicide rates.
  • Young adults (aged 18-24), full-time students, unemployed people, single parents and those with long-term disabling health problems and pre-existing problems with their mental health were all significantly more likely to feel distressed, across a range of mental health measures, compared with UK adults generally. This was the case both in March 2020 and 12 months on.

Dr Antonis Kousoulis, Director for England and Wales at the Mental Health Foundation, said the study presented a “complex picture” of the UK’s mental health.

She explained:

“Fewer of us are feeling anxious about the pandemic but more of us now feel lonely and ground down by the stress of the past year.

“It is absolutely important to remember that the experience of the past year has not been shared by everyone. We have all been in the same storm, but we have not all been in the same boat. The coronavirus vaccine brings hope. The warmer weather brings smiles. However, for many of us, the next few months – and even years – will remain tough, vulnerable and uncertain.

“We believe this study to be one of the first to have tracked people’s mental health systematically across a pandemic, using nationally representative samples. We hope that it will inform responses to future pandemics, as well as the current one, as it’s not helpful to see Covid-19 as a one-in-a-generation event.”

The findings of the study have been shared with policymakers at the Department of Health and Social Care, Public Health England and the Governments of Scotland and Wales.

The Mental Health Foundation plans to invest at least £1 million in programmes targeting some of the groups that have been impacted most significantly by the pandemic, including people of colour, single parents and those with long-term health conditions.

Dr Kousoulis explained that identifying the groups most seriously affected by the pandemic was one of the key aims of the mental health study.

She said: “We can now see clearly that among the most seriously affected people are young adults, people who are unemployed and full-time students. In these groups, painful experiences including loneliness, hopelessness and feeling suicidal are much more common.

“This is especially troubling, at a time when unemployment is set to rise. Policymakers must target support at these more vulnerable groups, to help prevent them reaching crisis point.

“We also need to see coordinated action on mental health from across the whole of Government, with a formal requirement for it to consider the mental health impacts of all policies it develops. This has never been more important than it is now.”

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider delivering a wide and diverse range of training courses.

They can provide training in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, safeguarding, mental health, health and social care and other specialist subjects.

Their specialist mental health training range includes Understanding Mental Health, Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace, Managing Stress, Anxiety Awareness, Self-Harm Awareness and Suicide Awareness.

They can also provide externally accredited trainers to deliver Mental Health First Aid England training courses, including Adult, Youth, Champion and Lite versions.

A trainer from FRT says: “By now, I think most people are aware that we are looking at a mental health epidemic alongside the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is now more important than ever that good mental health support is available for those who need it and that everyone has an awareness of mental health issues, how to support others and how to look after their own mental health.”

For more information about the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Occupational safety and health leads Covid recovery

The Director of Professional Services at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has commented on how the occupational safety and health (OSH) profession is leading the way in the recovery from Covid-19.

In a commentary featured in the Hays UK Salary and Recruiting Trends Guide 2021, Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher spoke of how OSH professionals had found themselves “front and centre of organisations’ recovery from Covid-19,” saying that leadership figures are turning to the profession for guidance to protect their workers and the future of their businesses.

As we slowly move out of the third national lockdown and the roadmap has been laid out to restarting the economy, many employers want to know how they can restart their operations safely, prevent virus transmission on their site and protect remote workers.

Ms. Harwood-Whitcher cautioned that OSH professionals must also “ensure their employers don’t lose sight of non-Covid risks.”

She added: “To achieve this, OSH professionals must be attuned to how their organisation is run and how OSH can enable it to sustain its future and achieve strategic goals. They must be able to adapt quickly as new risks emerge and provide senior leaders with assurance.”

This rise in demand for OSH expert advice will continue well into 2021 and beyond, she predicts.

As a result, IOSH aims to ensure there is a “significant pool of high-calibre people who can respond.”

They are hoping to achieve this through their Student Membership Scheme, their IOSH Mentoring platform and their Future Leaders community. These initiatives all help people at different stages to build their OSH career.

There is high demand for relevant health and safety skills, and IOSH is looking to help meet this demand by moving their main health and safety training products online.

Ms. Harwood-Whitcher says such measures are “why I am confident our profession can continue to deliver, to protect the futures of organisations and those who work for them.”

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider. They deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.

Their diverse portfolio includes training awards in Infection Control, Lone Working, Risk Assessment, Managing Health and Safety, Managing Stress in the Workplace and Understanding Mental Health, among many others.

FRT is also approved to deliver world-renowned IOSH-accredited and certificated training courses such as IOSH Working Safely, IOSH Supervising Safely and IOSH Managing Safely.

They also offer a portfolio of e-learning training courses, including COVID-19 Infection prevention, identification and control.

A trainer from FRT explains: “For too long, health and safety has been considered no more than an administrative burden to employers, but this really highlights how sensible health and safety approaches can really benefit businesses and how they will be instrumental in helping firms build back better after the pandemic.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.