The Human Resources and Psychology Departments at Karin Grech Hospital and Gozo General Hospital, which are both run by Steward Health Care Malta, have recently collaborated to organize two separate seminars for nurses to further strengthen the partnership between nurses and the Practice Nurse Team in policy development.
The seminar at Karin Grech Hospital, which was also organized with the help of the Practice Nurse team, also focused on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the wellbeing of nurses. This was followed by a detailed, interactive presentation by Senior Counselling Psychologist Ms Mariella Mamo, which offered nurses a series of coping strategies in relation to the effects of COVID-19 on their practice and personal life.
Dr Pamela Portelli, Health Psychologist and Ms Maria Grech Debono, Psychology Assistant at Gozo General Hospital, both delivered an interactive discussion to nurses about self-care in the profession which also touched upon compassion fatigue and secondary trauma, both of which are common in healthcare professionals. The hospital's psychology team also discussed the importance of self-care and provided their own tips on the topic.
Dr Nadine Delicata, President of Steward Malta, said: "Both seminars served as a platform for team building activities aimed at instilling unity among Steward Malta's nurses, building positive relationships and encouraging communication and collaboration. The seminars were the perfect space for our nurses to break from their hectic schedules to relax and get to know one another outside their roles as nurses."
Steward Malta also gathered participants' comments after the seminars in order to keep improving these events. Dr Delicata added: "It was encouraging seeing the positive comments and feedback from our staff. Our nurses have clearly appreciated the initiative of the Human Resources and Psychology Departments at both hospitals, and have participated fully in the events. Steward Malta will continue to invest in the wellbeing and development of its staff members, and will continue to encourage interdisciplinary healthcare teams to take on similar initiatives, particularly when being faced with unprecedented challenges such as the pandemic."
120 nurses from GGH and 80 nurses from KGH participated in these seminars.