“Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine in these terrible times” | Our news

“Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine in these terrible times.”

Alwen Williams, group chief executive

Secretary of State for health and social care offers his support

The Secretary of State has written to all Ukranian health and social care staff in the UK to recognise the vital role Ukrainian nationals and those of Ukrainian origin play in the health and care sector.

Read the letter in full: Secretary of State letter of support to Ukraine staff

The Department of Health and Social Care is also coordinating the donation of supplues to Ukraine. A large shipment left for Ukraine last weekend with clinical consulables and medical supplies. Further shipments are planned in the coming days.

We are here for our staff and patients

When our team of psychologists began contacting each other about the situation that was unfolding in Ukraine, there was a mix of thoughts and feelings being expressed - ranging from shock, anger, frustration, horror and the feeling of being unsettled by yet more uncertainty after this complex two years.

People mentioned the challenge of talking to their children about what was happening, in addition to sharing coping strategies for the rising fear and anxiety they could feel inside themselves. Some felt what psychologists might call fierce compassion - how can we take action against the injustice we are seeing? There was talk of what is sometimes called a tender compassion - how might we soothe others and be soothed? We were all very worried about our colleagues who have direct links to that part of the world. With amazement, we noted this is yet another event that could make some people in our trust feel alone. It was comforting to share with each other as a team. 

Current survey data across the NHS workforce shows extraordinarily high levels of anxiety and depression, as well as post-trauma symptoms - the situation arising in Ukraine will of course only add to this. This means in psychology we are aware the psychological need in our trust is very high. Rather than thinking of this as a spike in mental health disorders, it is helping us to think about this as a group of people under a common type of strain. 

Surveys show that over the pandemic NHS people have indeed gained strength and individual resilience through strong work relationships. People have reported that their work relationships have deepened and they are more likely to have meaningful conversations at work about their lives. Those who have felt isolated have been more vulnerable to mental health distress. We have learned just how protective simple human connection can be.

We would like to urge all our staff that the same applies in coping with the new kind of upheaval we have seen this week. Checking in on each other helps protect from deeper and longer-term distress. Sharing and making sure no one in your team feels isolated right now is the most important thing you can do. 

We are hopeful, therefore, that teams, networks and groups around the trust will come together to provide connected spaces to show care for each other. We are happy to help facilitate these spaces if that feels right for your team. If it feels safer to gain human connection by having a conversation outside your team with a psychologist, we are here to support you this way too. 

We hope to make sure no one feels they are walking through these complex times alone.

Carla Croft, consultant clinical psychologist at Barts Health and psychological support service lead

Our staff can book a one-to-one session with one of our psychologists to:

• Provide a safe, connected and compassionate space to talk
• Collaborate with each individual to assess needs at this complex time
• Provide any short-term help needed: emotion regulation, stress management support, problem-solving
• Find the right longer-term help
• Provide space for leaders to think about needs in their team

Staff, patients and local communities can access support from our chaplaincy team

Our chaplains offer a wide range of confidential support and assistance to people of all faiths and beliefs, including:

• offering a listening ear
• being present at times of distress and anxiety
• providing scriptures / holy texts or religious materials
• helping in the spiritual search to understand a concern or illness
• helping you contact your local faith community
• reflecting upon loss, grief and end of life issues
• offering support on ethical and religious questions
• offering religious support through prayer, worship, ritual or sacraments
• advising on funeral arrangements and associated matters

Contact the team on 020 8123 9033.

Make a donation

You can donate at any of our volunteer hubs across our trust:

• Newham hospital: St Andrew's wing reception, volunteers office 
• The Royal London hospital: main entrance reception
• St Bartholomew's hospital: atrium next to imaging in the charity hub
• Whipps Cross hospital: junction 4 

You can also donate to British Red Cross, who are collecting donations to support people in Ukraine with:

• food
• water
• first aid
• medicines
• warm clothes
• shelter

For more information, Waltham Forest Council also has a page with links to support groups for those affected and details of where you can donate food or money.