NHS must do more to support health and wellbeing of staff

[Geezer]

Monday, 23 November 2009

http://www.onmedica.com/news/4edbd86b-4 ... g-of-staff

Health trusts must do more to help staff lead a healthier lifestyle such as cutting down on heavy drinking, giving up smoking and doing more exercise patients, the government has said.

The aim is to reduce NHS staff sickness absence which costs £1.5 billion a year and to provide a positive example to patients. NHS organisations will now be expected to improve staff access to gyms and early interventions, such as physiotherapy and counselling, for health workers with musculoskeletal and mental health conditions.

The government has accepted in full the recommendations of an independent report into the health and well-being of NHS staff by Dr Steve Boorman, a leading occupational health expert.

The former GP and chief medical adviser to Royal Mail estimates the NHS could save up to £555 million by cutting 3.4 million working days of sickness absence – equivalent to 14,900 staff.

His recommendations include that NHS organisations should have a prevention-focused health and well-being strategy in place for all staff. This should be measured as part of the NHS assessment of performance and senior mangers made accountable.

This strategy should include availability of early interventions for staff with musculoskeletal and mental health conditions to help minimise the time staff must spend suffering with these problems and support early return to work.

Health Secretary Andy Burnham said: “The purpose of the NHS is to improve the health and well-being of the general public. We cannot be serious about this if we are not committed to improving the health of those that care for our population.

“Savings of up to £555m per year that we can reinvest in the NHS will undoubtedly improve the quality of patient care and importantly in the current economic climate - save the taxpayer money.”

[Lincox]

This sounds like the beginning of the horrendous sickness management we have in RM. Managers being made accountable. 555 million savings. Wonder what percentage they will be paid in bonuses to manage this in any way they see fit. ie Bullying, harrasment. Has nothing to do with the welfare of staff, but more about cost cuts.