Important Announcement!
4th Jun, 2024
The Here For You staff support service is changing.
The Here for You staff support hub has been available to all healthcare and social care staff, including voluntary and not for profit sector staff in Hertfordshire and Essex since 2021. Due to funding changes, from the end of March 2024 the existing Here for You service provided by HPFT in Hertfordshire, will no longer be available. The Hertfordshire service is now closed to new referrals. This is to enable us to honour and complete work already in progress in a clinically safe and effective way.
In Essex, the Here for You Service will continue to be provided by EPUT, but due to the funding changes, will only be able to offer a service to staff employed by organisations that have funded it. Currently these are Princess Alexandra Hospitals Trust, Mid and South Essex Hospitals Trust and Essex Partnership University Trust.
Here for You (EPUT) currently are in discussions with other organisations across Hertfordshire and Essex, and are working hard to ensure the service is available to support as many staff as possible under this new funding arrangement. If you wish to discuss how Here for You might continue to provide staff support to your organisation, please contact Dr Barbara Mason (Associate Clinical Director, EPUT) on barbara.mason2@nhs.net
Other Staff Support
For staff members who are in need of support but unable to access Here For You at this current time, the following alternatives are available:
Check your local Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and self-refer to access counselling (information will be on your trust intranet). Most EAP offer 24/7 phone line as well and internet resources
Visit your GP to ask for support
Visit Citizens Advice for a single point of access for social needs
Self-refer to your local NHS Talking Therapies Service.
For staff members who feel unsafe, unable to cope or are thinking about harming themselves or another person please call 111 and select the option for mental health or call the Samaritans on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258 who are able to speak with someone supportive in the moment.
Thank you for your continued understanding as the Here For You service changes, and we will keep you updated as things progress.
