Support at Medway

Occupational Health

Our Occupational Health team are located in Residence 12 and are able to offer health and wellbeing advice to all Trust staff. However, please remember they are not a G.P service and you should register with a local G.P to look after your general health. Information on how to register. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm. To contact the department telephone 01634 833883. Out of hours the direct line provides emergency advice. Email address medwayft.ohadmin@nhs.net. For more information visit the trust intranet.



Guardian of Safe Working Hours (GSWH)

All NHS trusts are required to appoint a GSWH and the role is independent of Trust management with a specific remit to ensure safe working practices for doctors in training are embedded and to provide assurance of this to the Trust Board. This is essential to promote patient safety within the Trust.

The contract has been implemented in all NHS organisations and the Guardian of Safe Working Hours at Medway NHS Foundation Trust is:

Dr Lisa Vincent-Smith- Acting Guardian.

This role is there to safe guard against roster breaches and investigates if these occur on a regular basis as per the junior doctor’s contract.

There will also be exceptions reports generated that are due to unforeseen overtime, these will be reviewed on an individual basis with the educational supervisor.

Doctor raising an exception report video

If you have any concerns about safe working practices affecting the junior doctors or patient safety please contact the guardian at medwayft.gsw@nhs.net or the junior doctor representatives (contact details available from Medical Education Admin team).

The guardian is also there to ensure that accommodation is available if junior doctors feel unsafe to leave the hospital site due to fatigue; in this situation accommodation is available. More information is provided on our Facilities page.

Junior Doctors' Forums

Both the DME and the GSWH regularly meet with Junior Doctors at Junior Doctors Forums. These informal meetings are a chance for Doctors in Training at Medway to identify and discuss issues on Education and the interpretation of contractual issues.

For dates of JDFs, go visit our events calendar.



Staff Benefits & Discounts

Nothing is more important than good health. That is why we have created a wellbeing programme to support colleagues in achieving a healthy lifestyle both in and outside the workplace.

More information on wellbeing initiatives and staff benefits such as those listed below, can be found on the staff intranet.

  • Special rates on local gym membership
  • NHS Annual leave & sick pay
  • Trade Union Support
  • Onsite nursery & Childcare vouchers
  • NHS Discount websites
  • Cycle to work scheme



SuppoRTT Champion

Medway’s SuppoRTT Champion is Miss Ginny Bowbrick, Consultant Vascular Surgeon and Deputy DME.

Contact: medwayft.MedicalEducation@nhs.net

SuppoRTT Champions are based in every secondary care trust and Specialty School in London & Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

Their role is to provide leadership within the Trust/School to ensure that the SuppoRTT strategy is fully implemented and results in a high-quality supported return to training for all concerned.

The SuppoRTT Champion:

  • Oversees the return-to-training process;

  • Provides trainees and supervisors with guidance regarding the relevant policies and available resources.

Trainees' first point of contact is their educational supervisor or training programme director throughout the return-to-work process. However, if additional guidance and support is required trainees, educators and other staff can contact their local SuppoRTT Champion and the SuppoRTT team.

For further guidance regarding Supported Return to Training see contacts below:



Freedom to Speak Up

We believe that honesty and openness in the NHS is vital, and staff should feel supported and encouraged to speak up about any concerns they may have at work.

The Trust’s Freedom to Speak Up Guardian, along with the Freedom to Speak Up Champions for speaking up, has a key role in helping to promote the profile of raising concerns in the Trust. They act independently and with autonomy. If you raise a concern with the Guardian or a Champion you can be assured that they will:

  • Treat your concern confidentially, unless otherwise agreed or your concern warrants serious escalation.

  • Ensure you receive support to progress your concern

  • Escalate to the Trust board any indications that you are being subjected to detriment for raising your concern

  • Give you timely feedback on how your concern is being dealt with.

Watch this video from the Lead Freedom to Speak up Guardian, Natasha Pritchard:

Further information can be found can be found on the staff intranet.



 

External support

Professional Support Unit (PSU)

The Professional Support Unit (PSU) is a free service primarily dedicated to supporting the progression of postgraduate training for NHS healthcare professionals within London and Kent, Surrey & Sussex. Access is via self-referral.

The PSU website offers a wide range of advice and help.



COVID-19 Wellbeing Hub

During the COVID-19 outbreak many NHS healthcare professionals will have been working in unusually challenging circumstances and experiencing new difficulties in both their personal or professional lives. Information and links to a variety of wellbeing support and guidance can be found at the new HEE COVID-19 Wellbeing Hub.



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Information about how Medway NHS Foundation Trust supports trainees with their career development