Bereavement support for PNAs and PMAs

There might be changes in team dynamics, like increased tension or reduced collaboration. Professional grief has the potential to influence the overall mood and morale within a team.

Individuals grappling with grief may find it challenging to express themselves or communicate effectively with colleagues.
 

The emotional strain of professional grief can contribute to heightened stress levels, potentially leading to increased conflicts between team members.

Employees experiencing professional grief may seem less engaged with or enthusiastic about their work and the organisation. They may participate less in optional activities.

Noticeable changes in behaviour, such as increased withdrawal, mood swings, or sudden shifts in personality, can be signals that someone may be struggling with the impact of professional grief.

Professional grief might affect an individual's ability to concentrate and perform their best. Keep an eye out for any signs of decreased job performance, missed deadlines, or a general decrease in productivity.

Struggling with professional grief might lead someone to seek more time away from work. Frequent or unexplained absenteeism can be a telling sign that emotional challenges are impacting their engagement in the workplace.

Individuals dealing with professional grief may withdraw from social interactions with colleagues. A sudden hesitancy to engage in team activities or a decrease in participation during meetings may indicate a need for support.

Stress and grief can manifest physically. Keep an eye out for signs like fatigue, changes in sleep patterns, or noticeable shifts in weight, which could be indicative of the emotional impact on an employee.

Do this as soon as possible. Find an appropriate time and place where you won’t be interrupted.

You could say something like “I’m so sorry to hear about your patient, I know you spent a lot of time with them”.

You cannot do a person harm by asking how they are.

If someone is grieving, it’s normal for them to be upset, but it’s also important to acknowledge their pain. You might want to say something like “I don’t have the words, but I wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you.”

If you do accidentally say something inappropriate, you can always correct what you’ve said: “I’m sorry, that didn’t come out as I’d hoped. Do you mind if I try that again?”

Don’t make assumptions about how someone is feeling or how they are grieving. Respect their cultural and family practices and try not to use cliches.

Listen to what they have to say rather than sharing your own experiences. This can make people feel as if you are minimising their grief.

You could:

• say something like “I'm free tomorrow lunchtime, would you like to have a chat?”
• offer to help them talk to their manager about flexible working
• signpost them to sources of support.

If it’s appropriate, ask what the bereaved person wants to share with colleagues or patients and how they would like to do this.

It might not be the right time for the person to talk to you. But keep checking in to see how they are and make sure they know you are there for them if they need you.

• Find a quiet space, sit or lie down comfortably.
• Inhale deeply through your nose, counting to four.
• Hold your breath for a count of four.
• Exhale slowly through your mouth, counting to six.
• Repeat for several minutes to promote relaxation.

• Take a leisurely walk outdoors, focusing on each step.
• Pay attention to your surroundings—notice colours, sounds, and textures.
• Breathe deeply and let go of any racing thoughts.
• Engage your senses to bring awareness to the present moment.

• Write down your thoughts and feelings in a journal.
• Reflect on positive experiences, accomplishments, or things you are grateful for.
• Use the journal as a space to express emotions and gain clarity.

The Royal College of Nursing has provided some information resources about wellbeing, self care and resilience for nursing staff.

There are also wellbeing resources for health and social care colleagues working in each UK nation:

• Supporting our NHS people (NHS England)
• A useful guide to mental and emotional wellbeing resources (Health and Social Care Northern Ireland)
• National Wellbeing Hub (Scotland)
• Colleague health and wellbeing (Health Education and Improvement Wales).

Acknowledge the emotional challenges of caring for patients in difficult situations. Create a safe space where nurses and midwives feel comfortable expressing their feelings without fear of judgement.

Set up peer support programmes where nurses and midwives can connect with colleagues who share similar experiences.

Having a support system within the workplace allows for the sharing of coping strategies and mutual understanding.

As well as using regular supervision sessions to discuss grief, consider implementing Schwartz Rounds. These sessions provide a structured platform for healthcare professionals to share their experiences, discuss emotions, and receive support from their peers or supervisors.

Make sure your employees know about the available support within your organisation. This might include employee assistance programmes (EAPs), counselling services, or designated support staff.

Provide clear information about how to access these resources confidentially and talk about it regularly. Ensure managers are well equipped to provide information on your organisation’s policies, leave options, and additional resources for wellbeing.

Make sure everyone has the details of any Professional Associations that offer resources, support networks, and helplines for members facing emotional challenges. Share contact information for local and national helplines specialising in grief. It can be helpful to display posters and encourage employees to write down the contact details.

Your hospital and community palliative care teams might be able to provide support and signpost to other local organisations. Your local hospice might also have a bereavement support service.  

Recognise the emotional exhaustion that can result from frequent exposure to loss.

Offer flexible scheduling and ensure that nurses and midwives have adequate breaks to recharge and reflect.

Acknowledge the emotional labour that nurses and midwives invest in their work. Regularly recognise and appreciate their efforts, emphasising the importance of their role in providing compassionate care during difficult times.

Provide training on effective coping strategies, mindfulness techniques, and stress management. Equip nurses and midwives with practical tools to navigate the emotional challenges of their profession.

Establish rituals or ceremonies to honour and remember the patients who have been lost. This can help provide a sense of closure and allow healthcare professionals to pay tribute to the individuals they have cared for.

There are a range of different cultural practices around death and dying all over the world. It’s really important to give people space to grieve in the way that means most to them.

Emphasise the importance of self-care and work-life balance. Encourage nurses and midwives to prioritise their own well-being, both inside and outside the workplace.

BLISS supports babies born needing neonatal care and their families. It provides bereavement  support for professionals.

Cradle Charity works with healthcare professionals within the NHS, to support their pregnancy loss services.

Find out how to request a baby loss certificate for pregnancies that end before 24 weeks.

The Anne Robson Trust helps set up teams of volunteers in hospitals to support dying patients and their visitors.

Childhood bereavement UK has a list of activity resources and books to support bereaved children and bereaved young people aged 11-18.

NHS England's End of Life Care for All (e-ELCA) programme has a module on bereavement care.

Winston's Wish offers guidance, advice and support to adults supporting bereaved children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The libraries of the Royal College of Midwives and Royal College of Nursing will be useful resources for professionals looking to read more about bereavement in their fields.

The Health Library and Information Services Directory provides information about the library facilities in NHS Trusts.

Child Bereavement UK has produced a film that aims to help doctors maintain personal resilience and wellbeing while being exposed to loss, death and grief at work.

The Royal College of Nurses provides counselling services.

NHS England offers staff mental health and wellbeing hubs.

Support After Suicide Partnership provide a range of resources including Help is at Hand, a leaflet produced with Public Health England.

The Louise Tebboth Foundation provides grants to help support the bereaved families of doctors who have died by suicide.

Cruse Bereavement Support has information about grief in the LGBTQIA+ community.

NHS England and NHS Improvement have published a resource to help staff understand different bereavement practices and how collagues may experience grief.