HOSPITALS across Northern Ireland are opening special rooms as “safe spaces” for staff fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
'Wobble' and 'Nightingale' rooms have been established to help frontline workers cope with mental stresses.
First Minister Arlene Foster said this week that some health workers could suffer post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
She warned that over-crowded hospitals and mounting deaths could lead to hidden problems.
“There will be mental health issues, not least for our front-line staff, who will have to see things that they probably would never want to see,” she said.
In response to concerns about the mental health of staff, health trusts and hospitals have been developing new facilities.
In Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry a “wobble room” has been made available, while similar “Nightingale rooms” have been opened at the Mater and Belfast City Hospitals.
Laura Kyle, manager of Altnagelvin’s accident and emergency department, said the room was a safe place for staff to have a “wobble” and was filled with mental health resources.
She said emergency staff are entering new territory with unknown pressures and challenges at a time when many are isolated from normal support mechanisms.
“A lot of our staff have chosen to move out of family homes to protect their loved ones so it was clear to me that we will be each other’s family in the coming months and therefore needed to find a way for us to be able to support each other,” she said.
“The room is very much in its infancy and we have provided mental health resources which we hope we can expand on in the coming days.”
Since opening, Altnagelvin management have been overwhelmed by people offering ideas and resources.
Ms Kyle said she hoped the room would help staff as they faced what would be the most difficult time of their careers and lives.
