Schwartz Rounds

Ensuring that our colleagues feel supported in their roles so they can provide high quality, compassionate care is a key part of our improvement journey.

A patient or a family’s experience of care can often be shaped by the compassion they are shown whilst on their hospital journey, so it is important that colleagues feel fully supported themselves.

Monthly Schwartz Rounds have been introduced on both hospital sites which are open to all colleagues, clinical or nonclinical, giving them the opportunity to share experiences in their role and learn from someone else’s experience, in a safe space.

Colleagues come together to talk and work through the emotional and social aspects of working in healthcare and can reveal difficult, demanding and satisfying aspects of their job. This can help other colleagues who may work in different roles through shared experiences and feelings, and help them to feel supported.

John Skelton, Head of OD, Leadership and Culture, said: “The purpose of the rounds is to understand the challenges and rewards that are intrinsic to providing care, not to solve problems, but to support staff from all disciplines to have an opportunity to reflect on the emotional and social aspects of providing care and ensure people feel supported by this.

“Evidence shows that it helps people feel less stressed and isolated, with increased insight and appreciation for each other’s roles.”

The next Schwartz Round, titled 'A Day I Felt Proud', will be held on May 19 from 12.30 –2.00pm in Seminar Room 5 at SECC, RSH.

If you would like to be part of future rounds or would like to become an accredited facilitator, please contact John at john.skelton4@nhs. net or Sam Funge, Head of Medical Education/ Medical Education Manager, sam.funge@nhs. net.

John added: “We have had some great feedback from colleagues who attended our Schwartz rounds and found them supportive. Comments such as inclusive and reflective, honest and valuable, reassuring and a privilege to hear and share other people’s experiences. If you haven’t been to one yet, I would encourage you to come along. These are fantastic opportunities for any colleague to talk, listen, share and learn in a safe space.”

“We have held a number of rounds now, each one with a different theme, and the overarching aim is to help colleagues feel more supported in their jobs by allowing them the time and space to reflect on their roles from a cultural perspective encouraging and supporting each other to have these conversations in a safe space.”

John Skelton, Head of OD, Leadership and Culture