Unscheduled Care has launched an innovative new scheme where nurses, new to the division, will be allocated a peer to help with any support or advice needed.
Nursing Engagement and Retention Coordinator for Unscheduled Care, Michelle Chunger, was keen to investigate the idea after reading about a similar project in Gateshead and, following some research, suggested a comparable system for the Division.
Michelle said: “The scheme allows any nurse new to Unscheduled Care to be given pastoral support for 12 months from a peer nurse that isn’t from their department, but from within the division.
“New nurses are also presented with a welcome bag containing a variety of small gifts.
“Helen Sherlock, Unscheduled Care Nursing Recruitment Lead and Matron Amanda Langton, worked together to devise the Blackpool Peer scheme.
“We approached our non-ward based Specialist Nurses and experienced nurses from Unscheduled Care to see if anyone was interested in volunteering for the scheme.
“It’s really important our staff feel valued, appreciated and supported during their time working with us.
“#BlackpoolPeers, as our scheme is known, is one of many retention programmes being implemented in Unscheduled Care nursing.”
The scheme is now being launched Trust wide and re- branded as #BlackpoolFyldeCoastPeers
Points of contact for nurses:
Unscheduled Care: Michelle Chunger
Scheduled Care: Sam Drury
Adult and Long Term Conditions: Sarah Critchley