25 The COVID junior support team (CJST)

The NHS response to COVID 19 required staff to work very differently as the health service pivoted dramatically. As clinical service models evolved to prepare our hospital for the anticipated wave of COVID patients, a group of junior doctors who were excluded from frontline duties volunteered to contribute by providing office based tasks. The COVID Junior Support Team (CJST) was formed with its main ‘objective’, to support staff in the delivery of effective and high quality patient care. The CJST self-organised its members, taking on specific roles and setting up services tailored to address specific needs identified. Outputs included: Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for COVID-19 results management for discharged patients Updating clinical guidance Communication cascade Rotas Induction and Training programs for interim FY1’s Mortality Reports Rapid learning reports/literature searches Staff wellbeing survey GP advice service provided by senior trainees and consultants Our intervention has shown that despite not being able to work in patient facing clinical environments doctors in training have many transferable skills which can be harnessed to assist front line staff and contribute positively. The CJST provided a unique development opportunity for doctors in training to gain experience of leadership and management across a wide range of activity. The team were empowered by senior medical leaders to work autonomously and to develop solutions, whilst ensuring they had clear and direct access to senior support. Shielding trainees may continue to part of the medical workforce for some time as we approach recovery. Our intervention shows these trainees can gain skills and experience from being involved in leadership and management roles out with the clinical environment. They can be utilised to enhance services if given autonomy and support to do so.