NHS staff get 24-hour counselling

The counselling service is costing the NHS trust £40,000

Staff at two hospitals in East Lancashire are to be offered a 24-hour counselling service to deal with personal and work-related issues.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said workers can call advisers about problems ranging from relationships to alcoholism or finances.

It is hoped the service will cut long-term sickness for staff at Burnley and Royal Blackburn Hospitals.

It is being introduced following feedback from staff, said the trust.

The scheme, being run by business services firm FirstAssist, will cost hospital bosses £40,000.

The trust felt it should do more to support our staff Ian Brandwood, East Lancashire Hospitals Trust

Workers will be able to call a freephone number, speak to an operator and then be put through to a specialist counsellor or legal adviser.

The legal team can give advice on domestic problems, personal injury claims, property disputes and consumer rights.

Director of human resources Ian Brandwood said: "People who work at hospitals, especially in the clinical teams, have to deal with tragedy and upset on a day-to-day basis.

"This is a very pressurised environment... the trust felt it should do more to support our staff."

Staff can also receive up to six face-to-face sessions free of charge after their first call to a counsellor.

Mr Brandwood added: "If just a handful of staff members use this service to help them avoid the kind of pressures which develop into long-term sickness absence, the service will pay for itself."