Critical incidents are unexpected events that may have a physical or emotional impact on you. These are unusually challenging or distressing events that overwhelm your normal coping capacity.
Healthcare staff often have to deal with traumatic incidents, including:
- serious assaults in the workplace
- death of children
- unusual deaths
- clinical incidents
- road traffic accidents
- suicide
Critical Incident Response helps staff who need support following a traumatic incident.
This is not counselling or psychotherapy. It is an emergency mental health intervention, which is a form of psychological first aid.
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) has local teams in locations across the country.
To speak to someone who can help, call 0818 327 327.
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) provides social support following a critical incident.
CISM will:
- work with you during a critical incident to prevent harmful effects
- provide you with social support, coping and self-management techniques
- help you return to normal team working
- identify if you need a referral to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
EAP Critical Incident Response
EAP Critical Incident Response will:
- assess the impact of the critical incident
- identify appropriate CISM supports
- provide follow-up support
Guidelines for managers
When a critical incident occurs at work, you should:
- acknowledge what has happened
- invite staff involved in the incident to attend a critical incident response session (this is voluntary)
- provide a quiet room with refreshments
You can contact EAP for support and advice.
To speak to someone who can help, call 0818 327 327.
You can also email a Critical Incident Support Request Form to your local EAP office.
Confidentiality
Matters arising in a Critical Incident Response session are strictly confidential.
Minutes or notes are not recorded during the session.
No reports are provided after a session.
EAP keeps a record of attendees’ names and contact details.
If you have any questions or concerns, call 0818 327 327.
HSE policy
Policy for Preventing and Managing Critical Incident Stress (PDF, 180 KB, 11 pages)