Posted on: 17 November 2020
'In these challenging times, being able to support our fantastic workforce is crucial' says West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership.
West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership (also known as an integrated care system) focuses on the health and care needs of 2.7million people living across Bradford district and Craven; Calderdale, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield.
Made up of organisations, including the NHS, eight councils, Healthwatch, voluntary and community organisations, West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership employs over 100,000 people, with the support of 270,000 unpaid carers and thousands of volunteers.
Building on workforce wellbeing and support already in place from local individual partners and national organisations, such as the NHS Our People Helpline, West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership is delighted to have received £515,151 from NHS England/NHS Improvement to develop the first West Yorkshire and Harrogate Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub which will be for all staff working in health and care in West Yorkshire and Harrogate.
The West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership hub, planned to be up and running in the coming weeks, will identify how additional, specialist, staff support can supplement what happens locally, so anyone working across the Partnership can access the same level of support.
Sara Munro, CEO for Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and CEO Lead for West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism Programme said:
‘NHS England and NHS Improvement has made a commitment to fund a wave of mental health and wellbeing hubs, which will work in partnership with occupational health services and others to support the mental health and wellbeing of all colleagues. This includes those who may be disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and are particularly vulnerable to the effects of the pandemic. We are pleased to be receiving the funds – it will help to ensure all staff gets equal access to care during these difficult times. Our ultimate aim is for colleagues to have a good life in and outside of work’.
In addition, West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership has been awarded £640,000 to develop and pilot a range of enhanced occupational health and wellbeing initiatives across the six local places in West Yorkshire and Harrogate to ensure staff have quick and easy access to targeted support and follow up care.
Brendan Brown, CEO for Airedale NHS Foundation Trust and CEO Lead for West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership Workforce Programme said:
‘The pandemic has placed an incredible amount of pressure on colleagues across all health and care services, including unpaid carers and volunteers. It is vital we do all we can to make sure they receive the care they need to do their valuable work in a supportive environment where they are free to speak openly about their worries and wellbeing. I’m delighted we have received this funding. It will support what is already in place for staff and importantly be tailored to suit their needs so they get the support they deserve’.
Learning from the pilots will be shared across the area and used to inform future design of occupational health and wellbeing support for colleagues from 2021 and beyond.
Rob Webster, CEO Lead for West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership said:
‘When all is said and done, the NHS and the care system is made of people. Without them, we are nothing and the total funds of over £1million come at a crucial time for us all. Many of our colleagues have not had the opportunity to fully recharge since the first wave of the virus. They are understandably feeling the pressure and it’s our role to make sure support is available for them, alongside effective prioritisation of workload in a compassionate culture’.
‘We will be working in partnership with our colleagues across West Yorkshire and Harrogate to mobilise both elements of the funding to put support in place at pace’ said Brendan.