Posted 02 August 2017 - 15:24
Posted 02 August 2017 - 15:24
News
Support offered to hospital staff after junior doctor found dead
Mental health and well-being support is being offered to staff at a hospital in Somerset where a junior doctor was found dead.
Mental health and well-being support is being offered to staff at a hospital in Somerset where a junior doctor was found dead
Picture: Alamy
An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: ‘We were called to reports of the body of a man in his thirties being found at about 11pm on Monday 31 July at Musgrove Park Hospital [in Taunton].
‘The death has been referred to the coroner as a sudden death.’
'Shattering event'
Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust said it will now bring forward plans to provide extra training in mental health first aid and advanced support.
Trust director of patient care Hayley Peters said: ‘Our heartfelt sympathies are with the family and those who were closest to our colleague.
‘This is a shattering event for our colleagues, too. We absolutely understand the impact that this can have on those who are most directly affected, either in responding to our colleague’s death or by their friendships with him, and we have been doing all we can to support junior doctors and other colleagues.
‘We have been talking individually to nursing, medical and other colleagues most closely involved, to ensure they are offered and know how to find support.’
Follow-up emphasis
On Tuesday, drop-in support sessions were held and senior executives and doctors visited staff on wards and departments.
A large contingent of staff also attended a group session led by a consultant psychologist from Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Ms Peter added: ‘We will keep an emphasis on follow-up, because we know this cannot be a short-term response, so these support events and care for individuals will continue.
‘Our next Schwartz round will focus on colleagues’ feelings about this death, and we will be holding more open events so that all staff, from whatever department, are given the opportunity to take part.
‘We will also be looking out for those in whom this event may trigger memories of their own personal experiences.’
She said well-being was a top priority for Musgrove Park Hospital and it remained in the top bracket of hospitals for staff engagement.
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