Delivering core NHS services during the pandemic and beyond
This report aims to catalogue the impact and unprecedented challenge caused by Covid-19 to the provision of essential services. It calls for urgent action to assess and tackle a backlog of appointments and an unknown patient demand for all health services, specifically across cancer treatments, mental health services, dentistry services, GP services and elective surgery. It also looks at the case made for routine testing of all NHS staff.
Dyslexia is a learning difference which mainly affects reading and writing skills. and can also affect the way information is processed. 10 to 15% of the population have dyslexia and this week is all about raising awareness to support those with dyselexia.
The British Dyslexia Association have created a pack of useful resources which you can access here.
The Association are encouraging workplaces, schools and organsisations to support them by:
• #GoRedForDyslexia to raise awareness • Take 30 minutes for staff to come together to learn about dyslexia and the positive impact dyslexia creates • Signing their petition to help secure a vital increase in assessment and targeted support in schools
Our Library team will be wearing red for dyslexia. We also have a range of coloured reading rulers, which can be used when reading or using the computers.
Reading rulers to place over text
If you would like to find out more, why not develop your understanding with the book- How to Detect and Manage Dyslexia – available to borrow from our Library collection. Simply login here or visit the Library with your membership card to self issue.
For more information about Dyslexia week click here.
British Nutrition Foundation healthy eating week 28th September to 4th October
Today’s challenge is to eat together to highlight the importance of doing activities together.
Why enjoy food together?
Spending time with family and friends can help develop self-esteem and social skills, allowing everyone to talk about what is important to them. Eating occasions can be a great opportunity to spend time together.
When we are trying to eat healthily, enjoying food together can help with motivation. Spending time with others can also be beneficial for mental health and can be a great opportunity to have fun with friends or family and try new dishes.
This report includes key findings from a member survey of more than 250 health care leaders, which revealed that nine out of ten respondents are concerned about the long-term impact of Covid-19 on the well-being of their staff. It also raises concerns about workforce shortages.
British Nutrition Foundation healthy eating week 28th September to 4th October
Today’s challenge is to get active together. Why not plan a socially distanced walk with a friend or plan an active activity with the family, like exploring your local green areas or canals or make a splash swimming.
Why is it important to get active together?
There are many reasons why physical activity is important for health. However, being active together has a number of additional benefits, such as helping us:develop social skills;
-learn a new activity or sport;
-work as a team;
-enjoy new experiences;
-establish active habits for later years;
-look after our mental health;
-encouraging behaviour change through working together and setting targets.
We may be more likely to stick to being active if we have the motivation of others. Getting active together can be a great way to socialise and can be a great opportunity to spend time with family and friends. It is also a way of making new friends and feeling part of a community.
Many of us have busy lives and with the rise of pressures from the Covid pandemic, tasks and worries can start to build up; leading to a sense of feeling overwhelmed. Ultimately, this can have an adverse effect on our health and well-being.
The Control Influence Accept Model (CIA model) was developed by HR specialist Neil Thompson and social-work lecturer Sue Thompson in their 2008 book, “The Critically Reflective Practitioner” and identifies 3 ways to respond to challenges (as seen in the diagram below):
This model aims to help put things into perspective and clearly identify what is achievable compared to those challenges or tasks which aren’t.
Mindtools.com describe 4 simple steps to use when you’re feeling overwhelmed with a situation:
Describe the situation. What has happened and why has it become difficult? List every aspect of it that makes it overwhelming. An Elephant List exercise might be useful here. This encourages people to be candid about the problems that they are facing – in other words, to name the “elephant in the room.”
Sort and place items on the diagram. Once you’ve completed your list, write each item down on a separate sticky note and place it on the area of the diagram that it belongs in – control, influence, or accept/adapt. You can also use their interactive diagram to do this.
Consider each item in turn. Ask yourself or discuss with your team whether it is something that you could realistically control. Can you solve the problem using existing resources? Or will you need outside help? If you believe you can realistically control even part of the problem, place it in the Control section of the diagram. If you think the situation is beyond your control, consider whether it’s something you can influence. Do you, for example, have useful skills or knowledge that you can provide to someone else to solve the problem? If so, add it to the Influence section of the diagram. Place the remaining problems in the Accept/Adapt part of the diagram.
Take action. When you’re done sorting through the problems, address each section of your diagram in turn, starting with the things that you can control.
To find out more or to identify other tools to combat stress and anxiety click here.
British Nutrition Foundation healthy eating week 28th September to 4th October
Today’s challenge is to be mind kind; do something that fulfills your mind. This may be something simple like having an early night to ensure you get enough sleep, taking the time to help others, or going for a walk in your lunch break.
Why is it important to be mind kind?
Mental health is a vital aspect of overall health and wellbeing. It is estimated that around one in six adults in England have a common mental health problem but less than half access mental health treatments. The figure in children (5-19 years) has risen to one in eight with the figure at its highest in older children. Mental health issues can include anxiety, depression, stress, addiction, loneliness and personality disorders. It is especially important to care for your own mental wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic, for information on how to manage this, click here.
This year has seen an increase in both the number of smokers attempting to quit and an increase in the success rate of quit attempts. Stoptober is offering a range of support tools including the Stoptober app, Facebook messenger bot and online communities, SMS and daily emails.
Survey finds 1 in 5 people are unlikely to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The COVID-19 Social Study by UCL researchers showed substantial levels of misinformation about vaccines. 22% of people surveyed said they were unlikely to get a COVID-19 vaccine when approved, with 10% being ‘very unlikely’ and only 49% being ‘very likely’ to get vaccinated.
