This month’s letters
Trauma programmes vital
It was so reassuring to read of the commendable efforts and
progress that Sainsbury’s has made with regard to their trauma programme (OH,
May).
Our organisation is presently in the process of putting a
similar model in place for a national company. However, we continue to be
horrified by the absence, within many organisations of any trauma contingency
plans.
At the other extreme, we have had dealings with companies
who are so enlightened that they are even prepared to provide professional
counselling for staff who experience trauma outside working hours.
We were puzzled to note that the Sainsbury’s trauma care
programme had little to say for the period between seven days and the two to
three months follow-up.
We also feel that it is worth reiterating that a great deal
of training and experience is required to successfully carry out psychological
debriefings, assessments and trauma counselling.
Dr E Roman PhD
Chief executive, Trauma Support Centre, Kent
Cancer care research call
I am currently working in occupational health and
undertaking a BA in community nursing by distance learning.
I intend to write my research dissertation on the patients
in the workplace who are undergoing cancer treatment. For example, chemotherapy
and radiotherapy and the reaction of their work colleagues.
I would be interested to hear from anyone who has had
experience with this type of OH situation, particularly if they have
procedures, protocols, policies or advisory notes in place with regard to the
restrictions placed on the patient, how to reassure others in the work group,
contact with their treatment centre regarding side effects on work suitability,
support offered to the family and so on.
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Carolyn Slessor
Aberdeenshire
