Dear students,
Happy new year and welcome back to Barts and The London, Queen Mary University of London. We hope you have had an enjoyable winter break. As you are probably aware, Trusts are currently facing significant challenges due to Covid-19. In Spring 2021, the BLSA, Medical School and our Trusts came together to train and recruit hundreds of medical and other clinical students onto wards as paid Health Care Assistants (HCAs) in an effort to support hospitals during the first wave of Covid infections.
We understand some of you may be approached individually by clinicians or other individuals to help and support Trusts during these difficult times. Others may already work as HCAs or other staff alongside their studies and may therefore be supporting Trusts through their work.
First and foremost, we wanted to reiterate that students are not obliged to support these efforts. Working as an HCA or volunteering is completely separate to your education and will not contribute towards your progression. Any work or volunteering must not detract from your studies which you need to give the very highest priority. In addition, we understand that many students may have very legitimate worries, living with vulnerable individuals or being at risk themselves and hence may not be in a position where they can help. No-one should feel guilty or pressurised in such situations.
Secondly, it is very important that all students ensure they have the full required training and clearances before working in any NHS role - you should check this with the work organiser. This is for the safety of yourselves and of patients as we must ensure everyone who works in the NHS is fully trained, cleared to do so and properly insured. You should also ensure you are not at an increased risk should you contract Covid and should highlight any concerns or potential risks you may have to any employer so they can risk assess you.
With regards to the recent Lockdown announcement, your course leads will also be in contact soon regarding how the Lockdown will impact your specific course and the University will send information regarding the impact it may have on other areas such as on the use of study spaces and other facilities. Many University services were moved online in light of the pandemic, such as Advice and Counselling, and will remain available in this format. The BLSA will also be in contact regarding any updates on its facilities and services. However, they will remain active and will continue to support students through this time and work with the university to ensure safe and high-quality teaching. You can also continue to flag up any concerns you may have with your course and other reps.
If you need further support or have further questions, you may want to engage with the resources below:
· BLSA Covid/HCA Enquiries and support contact: covid19enquiries@bartslondon.com
· Student support: The Student Support Office for Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry offers a highly developed network of pastoral and academic support, specifically designed to assist our medical students throughout their studies. Find out more here: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/smd/undergraduate/london/support/ (email: smd-student-support@qmul.ac.uk). For dental students, you can also see QMPlus.
· Connecting Practice: The Connecting Practice (CP) programme is a new initiative that was set up by BLSA, academic and clinical staff to support students working and volunteering in the NHS during the first wave of the pandemic, because we know that connection with others is more important than ever right now. The programme has so far consisted of regular e-huddles and workshops where students came together with a facilitator to support each other, talk about how things were going, and share ways of coping. The programme is still running now and we will be adding regular e-huddle sessions for those volunteering again or who otherwise need support for January. Find out more and book at: https://www.bartslondon.com/connecting-practice
· University welfare services: advice and counselling will offer online and in-person appointments if needed, as will DDS. Find out more here https://www.qmul.ac.uk/newstudents/life-on-campus/advice-and-counselling/
· Welfare resources: see bartslondon.com/welfare for a list of welfare resources including University and external services.
· BLSA Covid-19 Info Hub: Find the latest information about the Student Union in relation to Coronavirus including Self-Isolation support, Welfare Support, FAQs, Volunteering and access to QMUL and Government rules and guidance at bartslondon.com/covid19
Look after yourselves and each other.
Kind regards,
Prof Anthony Warrens, Dean for Education
Mathew Robathan, BLSA President
