UHMBT promotes good health and wellbeing to staff

With lifestyle factors and an aging population putting increased strain on the NHS nationally, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust (UHMBT) is leading by example to promote good health and wellbeing not only to the public but also to its staff.

In order to promote National Work Life week UHMBT staff have been given a tips and tricks guide to help ensure they can leave work on time. In addition staff have been given access to short films from workingfamilies.org.uk exploring practical tips on how to successfully balance work, a caring for loved ones and other family commitments.

As part of the Trust’s Health and Wellbeing five year plan, it has various campaigns in process to guide and empower staff to lead a healthier lifestyle. The Trust now has a host of therapists which staff can access either through a self-referral system or through their managers, and the Occupational Health team is working much more closely with the Workforce team around sickness absence training and early help in cases where staff are stressed – whether that is at work or in their personal life.

Other things the Trust is doing to support the health and well-being of its staff include:

• Working with 315 Health Club in Lancaster to support their mission to make The Bay area one of the healthiest communities in the UK, including discounted gym memberships for staff
• Developing a pilot group of staff to try a Slimming World weight Management course
• Launching a variety of initiatives and resources to help and support staff to coincide with national Stress Day on 4 November 2015
• Providing a wealth of useful information for any staff who may want to find out more about the support available

Jackie Daniel, Cheif Executive, UHMBT said: “We all lead very busy lives and our working patterns and the world around us is a very different place to when the NHS was first established. Time has become very precious, and as a consequence, our health and wellbeing often suffers. “Working in the NHS, we see on a daily basis the results of people not all following healthy lifestyles and making the right choices. We are encouraging our staff to make it their priority to look after themselves and take every opportunity to offer advice and support to colleagues. We all play an important part in creating a healthy workforce and local community, and we all need to do what we can to support each other.”