This document summarizes a virtual event hosted by NHS England and NHS Improvement to support the health and wellbeing of NHS staff affected by Long Covid. The event included presentations from directors and staff with lived experience of Long Covid. They discussed understanding Long Covid symptoms and effects, newly published guidelines for supporting affected staff, and available support resources. The event concluded with a question and answer session to gauge its usefulness for supporting staff health and wellbeing.

1. 1 |
Wellbeing Wednesday
Wednesday 9th February 4pm-5pm
#Caring4NHSpeople # OurNHSPeople
Welcome to the NHS England and NHS Improvement
#WellbeingWednesday event supporting the health and wellbeing of our
NHS people
Supporting our NHS people
affected by Long Covid

2. 2 |
Aims of today’s national health and
wellbeing community event…
• Offer support, ideas, knowledge and wisdom to those with a role
in supporting the health and wellbeing of our staff
• Share the range of wellbeing support activities that are
available
• Connect with each other and collectively build our community of
those who support the health and wellbeing of our staff
#Caring4NHSPeople #OurNHSPeople

3. 3 |
Welcome!
Speakers:
• John Drew, Director of Staff Experience & Engagement, NHS England & NHS Improvement
• Robanna Hussain-Mills, PCN Deputy Clinical Director and Senior Programme Lead, Primary Care Workforce
• Sophie Evans, Nurse and Staff Member with Lived Experience
• Kay Stephenson, Deputy Head of Health and Wellbeing, NHS England & NHS Improvement
• Laura Habib, Health and Wellbeing Champion, South West Yorkshire Foundation Trust
Facilitated and supported by:
• Claire Parker & Elizabeth Nyawade
#Caring4NHSPeople #OurNHSPeople

4. NHS England and NHS Improvement
John Drew
Director of Staff Experience & Engagement
NHS England & NHS Improvement
Welcome

5. 5 |
What do you know about Long Covid?
• Quiz time!

6. 3 Ways to join Menti:
1. Click on the link to the poll which
has been shared in the chat box
2. Scan the QR code below on your
phone
3. Go to menti.com and use the code
2531 5203
How many people in
the UK are reportedly
experiencing Long
Covid symptoms?
a) 520,000
b) 1.3 million
c) 3.2 million

7. 3 Ways to join Menti:
1. Click on the link to the poll which
has been shared in the chat box
2. Scan the QR code below on your
phone
3. Go to menti.com and use the code
2531 5203
Which of these are
considered common
symptoms of Long Covid?
a) Extreme tiredness, dizziness,
problems with concentration,
depression and anxiety
b) High temperature, joint pain,
changes to taste and smell,
heart palpitations
c) All of the above

8. 3 Ways to join Menti:
1. Click on the link to the poll which
has been shared in the chat box
2. Scan the QR code below on your
phone
3. Go to menti.com and use the code
2531 5203
Of those experiencing
Long Covid, what
percentage report that
symptoms limit their daily
activities?
a) 65%
b) 35%
c) 5%

9. NHS England and NHS Improvement
Understanding Long Covid, and how can
it affect our colleagues
Robana Hussain-Mills
PCN Deputy Clinical Director
Nurse and Staff Member
with Lived Experience
Sophie Evans

10. NHS England and NHS Improvement
Kay Stephenson
Deputy Head of Health and Wellbeing
NHS England & NHS Improvement
Supporting our NHS people
affected by Long Covid

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Newly drafted guidelines
• We have published guidelines that offer best
practice and practical advice in supporting staff
affected by Long Covid.
• They are aimed at line managers and HR
colleagues, and aim to increase awareness on
what Long Covid is, how it can present in our
colleagues, and how we can support them at
work.

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What is in the guidelines?
These guidelines have been drafted in support with a Task and Finish Group, that includes members
from a range of teams and organisations such as the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS
Employers, Health Education England and NHS England and NHS Improvement. The Task and Finish
Group also includes members of the NHS workforce who have lived experience of Long Covid.
• What is Long Covid? An explanation of Long Covid, the potential symptoms and how many NHS
colleagues we understand are experiencing symptoms of Long Covid.
• Advice for line managers, including guidance on how to support staff through wellbeing
conversations and reasonable adjustments, how to record sickness due to Long Covid on ESR,
current sick pay regulations and advice on how to handle requests for early retirement due to Long
Covid.
• Signposting to relevant health and wellbeing offers, should your colleague need further support.

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Support available for those affected by Long
Covid
• Colleagues can seek a referral to their local Post-Covid Assessment Clinic via their GP or a relevant
clinical service, for example via assessment from one of the above staff mental health and wellbeing
hubs.
• Access to a range of health and wellbeing offers through the national support programme, including free
access to a range of mental health and wellbeing apps, talking therapies through the Samaritans helpline
and a range of coaching and counselling offers. All these offers can be accessed
via england.nhs.uk/people.
• Access to online rehabilitation services at Your COVID Recovery (YCR).
• NHS colleagues who are also experiencing mental health symptoms can seek a rapid clinical assessment
through one of the 40 system-wide mental health and wellbeing hubs in place to provide proactive
outreach and assessment services.
• Many colleagues working across the NHS will also have access to Occupational Health and Wellbeing
services and local Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) through their employing organisations.

14. Wellbeing Community Event
Supporting Staff with Long Covid
Speaker: Laura Habib
Forensic Service Staff Wellbeing Lead/Advisor & Advisor Develop Team
Wednesday 9th February 2022 16:00pm – 17:00pm
Virtual (Microsoft Teams Live)

15. Workplace Wellbeing
Supporting Staff with Long Covid

16. Guidance for Staff Wellbeing
Advisors AKA:
Champions/Guardians/Officers
- Familiarise yourself with wellbeing offers that are available within and
outside of your organisation (E.g., Occupational Health, Staff Networks, Guidance,
Policies, ‘Your COVID Recovery’, support groups etc.).
-Practice Active Listening (Doing this supports better understanding of an
individuals needs and effective signposting)

17. Supporting Staff Living
with Long Covid
The 3 P’s
Pace Plan Prioritise
For detailed information about the 3 Ps, visit
www.yourcovidrecovery
Slow down and don’t
put pressure on yourself
Have a break before you
think you need one
Spread work, home &
Social activities and
tasks out throughout
the week
Take rest in-between
Not all tasks need doing
right away, look at what
you can do and when,
and do not be afraid to
ask for some help

18. It’s not always about
Long Covid Symptoms
By-Product
-Weight Gain
Reason: E.g., Change in a physical activity / diet changes
Support Offer: E.g., Weight Management Programmes / Healthy Living Groups
-Smoking
Reason: E.g., Increase in stress levels / Boredom
Support Offer: E.g., Yorkshire Smoke Free Offer

19. Guidance for an Organisation
Helping to Prevent Long Covid Related Sickness
-Early interventions to help prevent worsening of Long Covid symptoms inc. Sickness
Intervention example: Workplace adaptations that support individual and service needs e.g.,
adapted hours/duties and or early signposting / referral to support offers such as Occupational
Health Your COVID Recovery

20. Guidance for an Organisation
Supporting Staff whilst off Sick
-Educate yourself about what Long Covid is and how it may affect people inc. what support offers are
available, so you are better equipped to support, advice and signpost (one of the best recourses is the
person living with it!!)
-Stay connected/check in via Telephone, Microsoft Teams, text etc, be flexible with days times also, and
be mindful not to do this too frequently, as this can be demoralising for those whose symptoms are longer
lasting and would have to report no progress
-Be mindful what language is used and try not to start a conversation with “are you better yet” or “when
are you coming back” when checking in as staff may feel pressured to return to work when they aren’t
well, causing a decline in their recovery and further sickness.

21. Guidance for an Organisation
Supporting Staff Returning
to Work (inc. Homeworking)
-When planning a return to work with an individual living with Long Covid, consider what can be
implemented and how
-Some staff my not be able to return to their usual workplace and instead be working from home (wherever
suitable/can be accommodated), so may need equipment e.g., keyboard, mouse etc
-It is important to seek guidance from Human Recourses (HR), Occupational Health and any other
recourses that are available that support you supporting colleagues.
-Keep connected/check in, review progress and maintain support

22. Useful Contact Details
Long Covid Advice & Support Offers
Your COVID Recovery
http://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk
Live Well Wakefield
www.livewellwakefield.nhs.uk
01924 255 363
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Staff Wellbeing Advisor (Champion/Officer) Development Team
Speaker: Laura Anisha Habib
Forensic Service Staff Wellbeing Lead/Advisor & Advisor Develop Team
laura.habib@swyt.nhs.uk
07964 310 454
Ashley Hambling
SWYPFT HR Lead for Employee Wellbeing
Ashley.Hambling@swyt.nhs.uk
07881 008 183
Shelle Richmond
Kirklees Community Staff Wellbeing Lead/Advisor & Advisor Development Team
shelle.richmond@swyt.nhs.uk
07948 615 647

24. 3 Ways to join Menti:
1. Click on the link to the poll which
has been shared in the chat box
2. Scan the QR code below on your
phone
3. Go to menti.com and use the code
2531 5203
To what extent has
today's session been
useful in your own role
supporting staff health
and wellbeing?

25. 25 |
Thank you for joining!

27. #WinterWarmers-“Remember to reach out and connect with your
#WinterWarmers partner – if you registered”
Email projectm@leadershipacademy.nhs.uk for regular updates and to joiner invite.
Tea and talk – 24h February- 4-5pm
For team leaders and managers in health and care, this is an informal
session to check in, chat and keep connected
Lunch and learn – 17th February - 12:30-1:30pm- In conversation
with Tim Keogh, The Value Of Kinder Conversations
Tweetchat on Twitter follow @NHSLeadership #ProjectM – 1st
March- 7-8pm
Topic – TBC