Peer support can help staff cope with the stress that comes from their work. New guidance from the RCP and the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) sets out the values, principles and practice of peer support, with an infographic that can be printed out and displayed locally.
Peer support is invaluable to all NHS staff but never more so than in times of crisis, heavy workloads and associated stress. It is important, therefore that those providing peer support receive the necessary training and support themselves in order to provide help to colleagues safely and within ethical boundaries.
The RCP and RCPsych have worked together to produce a handy two-page guide to the values, principles and practice of peer support.
The main aspects of peer support have been illustrated in an accompanying infographic that can be printed out and displayed locally as a reminder of the need for peer support, its practical applications in the NHS, and to link to the longer article for further reading.
The peer support work forms part of the RCP’s support for staff wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For further information please contact Jasvinder.Sidhu@rcplondon.ac.uk.
Both documents are available to download below: