The Critical Incidents Support Network [CISN] exists to support employees and volunteers of the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and to support students who undergo formal education programmes within the Trust. The CISN exists specifically to support people faced with a critical incident or event of the type described in Paragraph 2.1 of the Staff Support – Critical Incidents & Events Policy.
Detail of the services available to support staff in the event of a distressing incident , including lead contacts, are described below.
Staff Support Services
Occupational Health Services
Department of Human Resources
Legal Services Department
Chaplaincy (Spiritual Care) Services
Risk Department
Staff Support Services
Service Lead
Leslie Morrison, Head of Health Psychology and Service Lead for Staff Support.
Contact Details
Phone: 0300 422 8513 (direct line)
0300 422 8523 (Staff Support Service, Health Psychology)
E.mail:
Duties
The Head of Health Psychology and Service Lead for Staff Support is responsible for:
- Acting as a focal point for self, managerial or CISN Coordinator referral for the purpose of individual[s] accessing the Staff Support Service
- Ensuring that an effective and responsive Staff Support Service is maintained for the purpose of delivering high quality services to individual[s] in connection with a critical incident or event.
Services
The Staff Support Service will make available the following services to staff who encounter a critical incident or event:
- Confidential individual and/or group support to members of staff involved in a critical incident or event.
- Confidential support to service leads, managers and supervisors regarding their support to their staff and team members.
- Tailored ongoing support post incident for individual members of staff when required.
- Specialist post traumatic stress intervention including CBT and EMDR.
- Assessment and referral to external agencies when necessary.
- Information on Coping after serious or distressing incident.
Occupational Health Services
Service Lead
Dr Sue Hunt, Consultant Occupational Health Physician
Contact Details
Phone: 0300 422 5169/5165
Email:
Intranet: Occupational Health Website
Duties
The Consultant Occupational Health Physician is responsible for:
- Acting as a focal point for self, managerial or CISN Coordinator referral for the purpose of individual[s] accessing the Occupational Health Service.
- Ensuring that an effective and responsive Occupational Health Service is maintained for the purpose of delivering high quality services to individual[s] in connection with a critical incident or event.
Services
The Occupational Health Service will make available the following services to staff who encounter a critical incident or event:
- Emergency support pending formal counselling
- Assessment of impact of critical incident on the health of the individual and advising on accessing appropriate health input if indicated. Assisting with accessing healthcare if required.
- Liaison with treating practitioners if indicated
- Assessment of the impact of critical incident on the ability to work with or without restrictions and advising manager accordingly
- Assessment of fitness to attend meetings or be involved with Trust procedures in relation to a critical incident
- Signposting to additional support within the Trust e.g. Staff Support or outside of Trust e.g. specialist services
Department of Human Resources
Service Lead
Dave Smith, Director of Human Resources
Contact Details
Phone: 0300 422 5090/6393
E.mail:
Duties
The Director of Human Resources is responsible for:
- Acting as a focal point for self, managerial or CISN Coordinator referral for the purpose of individual[s] accessing the services of the Department of Human Resources.
- Ensuring that an effective and responsive Human Resource Service is maintained for the purpose of delivering high quality services to individual[s] in connection with a critical incident or event.
Services
The Department of Human Resources will make available the following services to staff who encounter a critical incident or event:
- Pre- and post-Employment Tribunal familiarity briefing sessions for witnesses
- Pre-Employment Tribunal guidance on the writing of witness statements
- Preparation on the writing of statements or/and appearing as a witness at internal Trust investigations/proceedings
- Preparation on the writing of statements or/and appearing as a witness at investigations or other proceedings external to the Trust
Legal Services Department
Service Lead
Caroline Pennels (CJP), Head of Legal Services
Jo Hunt (JH), Claims Manager, Legal Services Department
Contact Details
Caroline Pennels
For information and support in connection with general clinical legal and regulatory (GMC/NMC) issues, inquests, and any general enquiries.
Phone: CGH ext 3555 on call mobile/home number from switchboard Email:
Jo Hunt
For information and support specifically in connection with clinical negligence and personal injury claims.
Phone: GRH ext 5745 mobile from switchboard
Email:
Duties
The Head of Legal Services is responsible for:
- Acting as a focal point for self, managerial or CISN Coordinator referral for the purpose of individual[s] accessing the services of the Legal Services Department.
- Ensuring that an effective and responsive Legal Service is maintained for the purpose of delivering high quality services to individual[s] involved in a legal process.
Services
The Legal Services Department will make available the following services to Trust staff involved in a legal process:
- Individual support and guidance for staff about all aspects of the process in which they are involved;
- For formal processes, guidance and support in the production of witness statements and any court documents;
- Support and guidance with respect to Court procedures, and the role and responsibilities of a witness;
- Attendance at Court with a staff witness if required or requested.
- Follow up with staff after a Court event, and interpretation of the outcome, both for them as individuals and the Trust;
- Liaison with professional bodies (NMC and GMC) for the purpose of managing regulatory and procedural matters, and staff support
- Liaison with other external agencies e. Police, Social Services, Coroner, NHS Litigation Authority etc.
- Access to immediate/out if hours advice in emergency situations (see On Call Managers pack for details, or use switchboard for mobile and home telephones)
Access to general advice during office hours.
Chaplaincy (Spiritual Care) Services
Service Lead
Mark Read, Lead Chaplain, Department of Spiritual Care.
Contact Details
Phone: 0300 422 6200 (direct line)
Pager: via switchboard
Email:
Other chaplains (including duty chaplain) are also available:
Phone: 0300 422 6200 (GRH)
0300 422 4286 (CGH)
Pager: via switchboard for duty chaplain
Duties
The Lead Chaplain for the Department of Spiritual Care is responsible for:
- Acting as a focal point for self, managerial or CISN Coordinator referral for the purpose of individuals or groups accessing Spiritual Care Support and listening services.
- Ensuring that an effective and responsive Spiritual Care Service is maintained for the purpose of delivering high quality services to individual[s] and/or group[s] in connection with a critical incident or event.
Services
The Spiritual Care Chaplains and/or their representatives will make available the following services to staff who encounter a critical incident or event:
- Emergency support pending an appointment with Occupational Health Services or formal counselling.
- Confidential listening and support service for individual staff, service leads, managers and supervisors in connection with any critical incident or event, or any situation causing anxiety, stress or distress.
- Confidential individual and or group support to members of staff involved in a critical incident or event.
- Confidential support to service leads, managers and supervisors regarding their support to their staff and team members.
- Religious, pastoral and spiritual care services and support appropriate to the individual[s] and/or group[s].
Risk Department
Service Lead
Andrew Seaton, Director of Safety
Katherine Leach, Trust Risk Manager
Bev Williams Trust Risk Manager
Contact Details
Mobile phone numbers available via switchboard
E-mail:
Duties
- Acting as a focal point for self, managerial or CISN Coordinator referral for the purpose of individual[s] accessing the Risk Department through investigation of incidents/ accidents.
- Ensuring an effective and responsive support to incidents causing serious degrees of harm or concern to staff during the investigation of the critical incident or event.
Services
- Co-ordinates the Trust procedure for managing, reporting and investigating accidents/ incidents to include serious untoward incidents facilitating staff, patients accessing support from relevant resources outlined in this policy.
- Advises on root cause analysis and incident decision tree processes contributing to the realisation of true causal events leading to the incident
You are welcome to contact the Critical Incident Support Network Co-ordinator Leslie Morrison Consultant Psychologist, Head of Health Psychology and Service Lead for Staff Support for further information and advice in relation to supporting staff following critical incident. Email: