Local phone support line set up for health and care workers during Covid-19 pandemic

A LOCAL staff support telephone line has been set up to support the wellbeing of all NHS, health and care workers in Shetland during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The support line has been developed by the NHS/Shetland Islands Council staff wellbeing support team (SWS), and it has a team of listeners on hand to take calls.

The listeners are members of NHS teams, Shetland Islands Council staff and volunteers.

All involved have had guidance and training in setting up the phone line from the local Samaritans branch.

The Samaritans is continue to provide a support role to all listeners as the new line develops. 

The support line is being launched today (22 June) on the free number 0800 043 0366 after being tested over a number of weeks.

The service will be open for all staff across the NHS, community health and care from Monday to Friday 6pm-9pm, alongside a Scotland-wide support phone line hosted by the National Wellbeing Hub which will be launched this month.

The staff support line is open to staff in any part of the care sector in Shetland who may want to contact someone at a local level rather than using a national service.

Staff may just need a listening ear or wish to discuss something specific that is worrying them.

Those at the other end of the phone line have been trained to use their listening skills but are also able to signpost if needed to local and national services.