Information for Peer Supporters

Aim of the scheme

To allow doctors in need of peer support to have someone to listen

How does the scheme work?

We have an email address NDOAListeningEars@gmail.com where people can email and ask to be put into contact with someone. We have a list of Consultant and Trainee volunteers and will pass on the contact details to a volunteer. We will try and make sure that support is spread out across all volunteers so that no one is overwhelmed.

What will we expect of you?

We will contact you to ensure you are available to take on someone requiring support and then pass on the contact details they have provided.

You are to provide peer support and listen rather than a counselling service. We ask that you keep anything discussed confidential unless you feel that information shared needs to be escalated under your duty of care e.g. suicidal ideation. Please escalate concerns to any of the people listed below.

You can opt out of the scheme at any time, please just let us know on our email: NDOAListeningEars@gmail.com

What support is available for me?

We have several experienced members of the department and scheme who you can escalate to if you are unsure about anything:

Consultants:

Dr Simon Berg

Dr Mark Davies

Dr Ruth Webster

Dr Rebecca Wilde

Trainees:

Dr Kate Grange

Dr Katy Oliver

You may wish to look at the following resources on providing peer support:

• BMJ article by Matt Morgan: When nothing is the right thing to say

• Peer Support for Clinicians: A Programmatic Approach. Contains some useful hints and tips on facilitiating discussions