Spire Healthcare

Spire Healthcare is a leading independent healthcare group and the second-largest private healthcare provider in the UK.

Based at 39 hospitals and 8 clinics across England, Wales, and Scotland and working with 8,760 experienced consultants,
Spire Healthcare strives to deliver tailored, personalised care to 926,500 inpatients, outpatients, and day patients.

We spoke to Stephanie Steeden, head office manager, about Spire Healthcare’s commitment to the mental health and wellbeing
of their staff and patients and how MHFA England® training plays a vital role in that commitment.

Began MHFA England training
2020

Staff trained so far
200 MHFAiders®

Why did Spire Healthcare initiate MHFA England training?

During the first lockdown in 2020, we realised the importance and impact MHFA® training could have on our colleagues.
The majority of our staff were on the frontline, providing care and treatment to patients.

In addition, we worked very closely with the NHS and local trusts, giving support, treatment, and care to those affected by the pandemic. With the staggering loss of life daily, it was abundantly clear that we all needed support.

To this day, we still work with MHFA England to make sure our colleagues have a safe place to go and be heard.

How is training implemented across your sites?

We are spread across England, Wales, and Scotland, with 39 hospitals and 8 clinics. Across these sites, we have over 200 colleagues currently filling the role of MHFAiders®, supporting patients and staff members.

Each site implements the support in a way that suits their needs, but all stem from the training provided by MHFA England. Although they are spread out across the country, we know they all have access to MHFAider® Support and Benefits, including three years’ worth of support, advice, and exclusive content. Despite their geographical distance, they are connected and supported as a community of MHFAiders.

Have you tracked how often MHFAiders are contacted?

This depends on the site, as no two are the same. However, most of our sites hold a dedicated morning or afternoon drop-in session for colleagues and patients to meet with an MHFAider®. These happen weekly and are in addition to other wellbeing events that we often tie to crucial mental health calendar moments, such as Mental Health Awareness Week.

How has the MHFA training helped your people and workplace culture?

Employees who have become MHFAiders now have the knowledge and skills to spot the signs of a person experiencing poor mental health, the confidence to start a conversation and the tools to signpost to appropriate support.

For the sites that do not hold drop-in sessions, their MHFAiders’ photos and work contact details are shown in public areas of the hospitals to be easily recognisable and contactable. MHFA training aligns with our company purpose: “to make a positive difference in people’s lives through outstanding personalised care.” 

The training has enabled employees to be more empathetic and accepting of our unique challenges, helped remove the stigma relating to mental health and enabled people be less judgmental about one another.

What else do you do to improve your workplace wellbeing?

Our worksites are always brainstorming ways to improve our mental health and wellbeing strategy and outreach.
For example, during Mental Health Awareness week, our sites hold small events, from having a one-on-one chat
over a cup of tea and cake to hosting an awareness talk held by an external speaker or arranging massage or meditation sessions. These localised events help our colleagues know whom to contact if they need additional support.

What have your standout moments been from MHFA training?

In particular, the feedback from colleagues has been fantastic to hear. Knowing that the training covers complex mental health topics, the Instructor Members are exceptional at letting everyone be heard, giving trainees time to reflect, and including all who join. 

Join Spire Healthcare in our mission to transform the mental health of the nation.

Our MHFA course is ideal for staff at every level who would like to become an MHFAider® to gain the knowledge and skills to spot signs of a person experiencing poor mental health, be confident to start a conversation and signpost a person to appropriate support.