Dealing with bereavement in the workplace

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Guidance for health and social care staff on dealing with bereavement experienced in the workplace.

Introduction

Those of us working in health and social care may come across situations where we experience the death of a colleague. Knowing what to say and do in these situations to provide support to ourselves and others can be challenging and naturally people may feel apprehensive. The resources below are designed to help health and social care staff identify some responses and actions to support colleagues, teams and themselves in the workplace.

Experiencing the death of a colleague: e-Learning modules

Note: You will need to login with your Turas account to view the modules below:

Turas Learn is a learning platform developed by NHS Education for Scotland to support health and social care staff in Scotland. Turas is open to all and any health and social care staff outwith Scotland can register for an account. If you do not have an account then please register for a free Turas account.

The best way to explore the resources is through the five e-Learning modules but you can find animations and case study films that are included in the e-Learning module below. You may wish to work through all five modules in order, or you may choose to only work through one or some of the modules, depending upon your learning needs and goals. However, for a full understanding of the topic it is recommended that you undertake all five modules.

Activities have been included to support your learning so that you can get the most benefit from the module(s). We hope that you find them interesting and useful.

The modules cover certain aspects of responding to a colleague’s death. They draw both on current guidance to enable you to offer a person-centred approach which is educationally evidence informed, as well as incorporating real-life case studies which can be used for reflection and discussion. You may wish to use the materials to think about how you might approach the situation of a colleague’s death, should this ever arise. 

Please note: Some images may be missing from modules 3 and 4. This will not impact your learning experience. We are currently working to resolve this issue.

Access the modules below:

 

Resource Feedback

To help us develop and improve this learning resource, we would be grateful if you could complete this short evaluation form once you have undertaken any of the learning contained within the modules.

Experiencing the death of a colleague in health or social care: Supporting yourself and those around

This video reflects on the strong relationships that often form within teams, and the far-reaching impact that a person’s death can have. This may not only be felt by their immediate colleagues, but ripples of grief can also be seen across other teams and the wider organisation. The video explores topics such as communicating the news, ways we might react, supporting ourselves and one another, and creating opportunities to share memories of a person who has died.

A transcript of this video can be found here.

A downloadable leaflet which accompanies the video can be found here.

Responding to the Sudden Death of a Member of Staff: Initial Communication and Practical Tasks

Hearing the news of the death of a colleague can be upsetting for those who knew and worked with them. Knowing how to respond and undertake the practical and administrative tasks that are required in response can be daunting and we may feel apprehensive about providing support to those who are bereaved or affected by the death.

This video aims to offer support on how to respond and offers assistance with some of the practical tasks in this situation.

A transcript of this video can be found here.

Supporting teams in responding to the sudden death of a colleague: Looking after ourselves & others

The news of the sudden or unexpected death of a colleague can be shocking, distressing and destabilising for those who knew and worked with them. Emotional reactions to hearing the news may have an impact on our wellbeing and ability to function, no matter what our role is.

This video aims to help teams to look after themselves and others in responding the sudden death of colleague.

A transcript of this video can be found here

Case Studies

Those of us working in health and social care may come across situations where we experience the death of a patient or colleague. Knowing what to say and do in these situations to provide support to ourselves and others can be challenging and naturally people may feel apprehensive.   

These case study films highlight stories based on real-life experiences of staff working across health and social care in Scotland. They may be used as a tool to enable reflection and discussion. 

 

Reflective Activity

You may wish to pause and reflect after watching the films. 

Here are some questions to consider in your reflections. 

  • What did you notice about how you felt during the film? 
  • Have you been in a similar situation yourself? If so, do you remember how you responded? 
  • Where or from whom could you seek help in these situations or support afterwards? 
  • How might talking about this situation afterwards impact on how you felt? 

 

 

Porter

This case study film highlights a story based on a real-life experience of a porter working across health and social care in Scotland.

A transcript of this video can be found here

 

 

 

Nurse

This case study film highlights a story based on a real-life experience of a nurse working across health and social care in Scotland.

A transcript of this video can be found here

 

 

 

 

Care at Home Manager

This case study film highlights a story based on a real-life experience of a care at home manager working across health and social care in Scotland.

A transcript of this video can be found here

 

 

 

 

Consultant

This case study film highlights a story based on a real-life experience of a consultant working across health and social care in Scotland.

A transcript of this video can be found here

 

 

 

Home Carer

This case study film highlights a story based on a real-life experience of a home carer working across health and social care in Scotland.

A transcript of this video can be found here

 

 

 

Admin Team Leader

This case study film highlights a story based on a real-life experience of an admin team leader working across health and social care in Scotland.

A transcript of this video can be found here

 

 

 

GP Practice Manager

This case study film highlights a story based on a real-life experience of a GP practice manager working across health and social care in Scotland.

A transcript of this video can be found here

 

 

 

The value of listening: a life shared

Brigid Russell talks about her husband, Jim’s death and how it feels for her to live with grief and bereavement.

A transcript of this video can be found here