By Vivienne Russell
23 November 2009
The health secretary has fully endorsed a review’s proposals to improve the health and wellbeing of NHS staff.
NHS health and wellbeing, published on November 23, estimates that putting the recommendations into effect could save the health service £555m a year by improving staff attendance.
Among the 20 proposals in the review, led by occupational health expert Dr Steve Boorman, are including staff health and wellbeing in the annual assessment of NHS performance and early interventions for employees with musculoskeletal and mental health problems.
Health Secretary Andy Burnham confirmed that he accepted all of the report’s recommendations in full. ‘The purpose of the NHS is to improve the health and wellbeing of the general public. We cannot be serious about this if we are not committed to improved the health of those that care for our population,’ he said.
‘We want to see the NHS become an exemplar for other organisations to follow, valuing its employees as it values its patients.’
Burnham added that the £555m savings would be reinvested into the health service to improve the quality of patient care.
The report was also backed by both management and unions. NHS Employers director Sian Thomas said there were already some excellent examples of good practice that needed to be shared and replicated elsewhere.
She said: ‘Tackling staff health issues is not just the right thing to do as a good employer, but at a time of increased financial constraints it also helps improve patient care and deliver financial savings for organisations.’
Karen Jennings, head of health at public service union Unison, said: ‘There is a solid connection between staff health and wellbeing and good standard of patient care, so it is in everyone’s interests to make the health of staff a priority.
‘Prevention is always better than cure and targeting problem areas like back injuries and stress will save staff from unnecessary pain and the need to take valuable time off work and away from patients.’
23 November 2009
The health secretary has fully endorsed a review’s proposals to improve the health and wellbeing of NHS staff.
NHS health and wellbeing, published on November 23, estimates that putting the recommendations into effect could save the health service £555m a year by improving staff attendance.
Among the 20 proposals in the review, led by occupational health expert Dr Steve Boorman, are including staff health and wellbeing in the annual assessment of NHS performance and early interventions for employees with musculoskeletal and mental health problems.
Health Secretary Andy Burnham confirmed that he accepted all of the report’s recommendations in full. ‘The purpose of the NHS is to improve the health and wellbeing of the general public. We cannot be serious about this if we are not committed to improved the health of those that care for our population,’ he said.
‘We want to see the NHS become an exemplar for other organisations to follow, valuing its employees as it values its patients.’
Burnham added that the £555m savings would be reinvested into the health service to improve the quality of patient care.
The report was also backed by both management and unions. NHS Employers director Sian Thomas said there were already some excellent examples of good practice that needed to be shared and replicated elsewhere.
She said: ‘Tackling staff health issues is not just the right thing to do as a good employer, but at a time of increased financial constraints it also helps improve patient care and deliver financial savings for organisations.’
Karen Jennings, head of health at public service union Unison, said: ‘There is a solid connection between staff health and wellbeing and good standard of patient care, so it is in everyone’s interests to make the health of staff a priority.
‘Prevention is always better than cure and targeting problem areas like back injuries and stress will save staff from unnecessary pain and the need to take valuable time off work and away from patients.’
