The Hospital is getting fried in the press for not provinding counseling to the family of the nurse that died. Can some explain for those of us not covered by the NHS...
There are articles in the press about how the family of the nurse who died had not received an offer of counseling from the hospital.
Here in the US, counseling would be covered under our healthcare plan offered by our employer (if our employer offered one). Additionally most US employers have an additional service called an EAP (for Employee Assistance Program) that offers counseling for all the things employees run into in their lives. They can call the EAP and get limited help with everything from financial issues to a child having behavioral issues to depression. If the employer offers mental health care (and most that offer insurance do) and the issue needs more attention, the EAP can refer to providers.
In addition, many employers will offer special employee counseling (usually sourced through the EAP or the healthcare plan) for special workplace issues - a fire, a death at work, whatever. It's offered as a one off and is discretionary but deductible for tax purposes. Technically - it is for employees, but in special circumstances they will field relative calls and sort them out and refer to care givers. It also has significant PR value.
From a NHS coverage and business perspective - what is the prevailing practice for counseling in the UK when there is a work related death? Is the family usually counseled by employer provided services and if so is that through NHS - or is it an additional offering and what is customary for a significant employer?
Often as not here in the US, a family of an injured employee wants the employer to be hands off and prefers to make their own decisions about counseling. Of course, they want the tab to be picked up - but they often do not trust counselors offered by employers in these cases.
How is it different in the UK and with NHS?