Checking In: R U OK? Day at St Andrew’s

At St Andrew’s, care is what we do best - for our patients, for families, and just as importantly, for each other. Today our HR team helped us pause and reflect on that with a heartfelt celebration of R U OK? Day.

The morning started with the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee, thanks to our friends at Wicked Coffee, and a sweet treat or two from the ever-reliable KitKat stash. But the real highlight was the arrival of some very special four-legged visitors, who made their way from team to team, tails wagging and spirits lifting.

Laughter, conversation, and the occasional gentle paw-shake flowed easily. In between the sips of coffee and the rustle of chocolate wrappers, people found themselves having conversations that mattered - the kind where “How are you?” becomes more than a polite greeting.

That’s exactly the message of R U OK? Day. The national campaign reminds us that checking in with someone doesn’t have to be complicated or awkward. It can be as simple as a smile across the corridor, an invitation to take a walk, or a chat over coffee. From there, the four simple steps are clear: ask, listen, encourage action, and check in again.

Here at St Andrew’s, those steps echo the same principles we bring to patient care every day: noticing when something isn’t quite right, taking the time to listen, and making sure people feel supported beyond the first conversation.

Today showed us that care doesn’t just happen in the wards and consulting rooms. It happens in our hallways, break rooms, and outdoor spaces too - whenever we take a moment to notice each other and ask the question that can make all the difference: “Are you OK?”

Thank you to our HR team for creating such a thoughtful event, and to everyone who joined in with open hearts (and open hands for our furry friends). Together, we’re building a culture where wellbeing is everyone’s responsibility - one coffee, one conversation, and one caring question at a time.