Pandemic Kindness Movement
Basic needs
Basic needs refer to the most fundamental of human needs: to eat, to have access to water, temperature regulation and a safe space to sleep. As the very first layer of the pyramid, these biological requirements are what we need to survive.
Health workers often forgo our own needs to provide care to our patients. There is a greater risk of this during times of crisis, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic as they balance increased demand and extra pressure in the clinical environment. Easy access to food, water and accommodation allows the basic needs of a health worker to be met.
As the most important of needs, once these basic needs are met, the need for safety becomes more salient and we can progress to the next.
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Gather My Crew
Funded by the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation, Gather My Crew is an online tool that enables people facing tough times or a crisis to reach out to their family and friend networks and develop a schedule of care and support.
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Fatigue poster set
A series of printable posters with advice on sleep, rest and recognising fatigue. Developed by the UK Association of Anaesthetists, Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine as part of a Fight Fatigue resource pack.
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Sleep talk: sleep in uncertain times
In this episode of the Sleep Talks podcast, Dr David Cunnington, Sleep Physician and Dr Moira Junge, Health Psychologist acknowledge their own experience of sleep disruption during this time and provide some useful simple strategies that they themselves have used.
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Wellbeing posters
A series of printable wellbeing posters with tips on for approaching self-care, managing personal wellbeing, improving our workplace and asking for help. Developed by the UK Intensive Care Society with clinical psychologist Dr Julie Highfield.
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WrapEM Staff resuscitation trolley
During a busy shift, health workers may be unable to eat or eat well. Follow this short guide to fill a trolley with food that staff could pick up and eat quickly. This idea was created by Dr Melanie Rule at the Prince Charles Hospital in Queensland.
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Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when you don't have enough fluids in your body. Even during a busy day, make sure you drink enough water and have extra to replace any fluid lost during hot weather, illness or exercise.
The Pandemic Kindness Movement webpages are created by clinicians across Australia and hosted by the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI). Provision of these links and resources does not imply endorsement nor recommendation from the ACI or NSW Health.