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NHS told to help ill staff more | NHS told to help ill staff more |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The health service must do more to tackle levels of staff illness, according to independent experts. | The health service must do more to tackle levels of staff illness, according to independent experts. |
The interim NHS Health and Wellbeing report said by helping employees more trusts could improve performance. | The interim NHS Health and Wellbeing report said by helping employees more trusts could improve performance. |
Up to 15,000 staff absences a day could be saved if the NHS matched the improvement made by the private sector, the government-commissioned study said. | Up to 15,000 staff absences a day could be saved if the NHS matched the improvement made by the private sector, the government-commissioned study said. |
Unions agreed services were patchy, but also pointed out that NHS work was demanding and took its toll on staff. | Unions agreed services were patchy, but also pointed out that NHS work was demanding and took its toll on staff. |
The report said with more than 1m staff, the NHS should act as an exemplar for the rest of the economy. | The report said with more than 1m staff, the NHS should act as an exemplar for the rest of the economy. |
It has cited examples of best practice from the private and public sectors, arguing the health service should be more proactive, particularly with physio and counselling services. | It has cited examples of best practice from the private and public sectors, arguing the health service should be more proactive, particularly with physio and counselling services. |
Annual NHS sickness levels of 10.7 days a year per employee are higher than the public sector average and 50% higher than the private sector at 6.4 days. | Annual NHS sickness levels of 10.7 days a year per employee are higher than the public sector average and 50% higher than the private sector at 6.4 days. |
WHAT WORKS WELL BT - Online self-assessment available to staff to report stress. Managers alerted to serious problemsRoyal Mail - A wellbeing board has been appointed, including trade unions and staff, to promote occupational health services across workforceWest Suffolk Hospital - Staff with musculoskeletal injuries given priority referral to local physio. A 40% fall in absences in this area has been reportedCentrica- Line managers trained to deal with health problems, including mental health and back pain | WHAT WORKS WELL BT - Online self-assessment available to staff to report stress. Managers alerted to serious problemsRoyal Mail - A wellbeing board has been appointed, including trade unions and staff, to promote occupational health services across workforceWest Suffolk Hospital - Staff with musculoskeletal injuries given priority referral to local physio. A 40% fall in absences in this area has been reportedCentrica- Line managers trained to deal with health problems, including mental health and back pain |
During the research, 11,000 staff completed questionnaires and 200 responses were received from NHS trusts. | During the research, 11,000 staff completed questionnaires and 200 responses were received from NHS trusts. |
Stress, musculoskeletal problems and mental health difficulties were the most common problems suffered. | Stress, musculoskeletal problems and mental health difficulties were the most common problems suffered. |
Overall, eight in 10 said they thought health and wellbeing issues were affecting care. | Overall, eight in 10 said they thought health and wellbeing issues were affecting care. |
Dr Steve Boorman, who led the review, said there was now a clear business case for the NHS to do more. | Dr Steve Boorman, who led the review, said there was now a clear business case for the NHS to do more. |
"Trusts that take health and wellbeing seriously perform consistently better on measures of quality, patient safety and efficiency." | "Trusts that take health and wellbeing seriously perform consistently better on measures of quality, patient safety and efficiency." |
Economy | Economy |
The report was drawn up at the request of the Department of Health in England following the publication of a national workforce review last year. | The report was drawn up at the request of the Department of Health in England following the publication of a national workforce review last year. |
That report by Dame Carol Black, the government's director for health and work, called for businesses to do more to tackle illness and promote healthy lifestyles. | That report by Dame Carol Black, the government's director for health and work, called for businesses to do more to tackle illness and promote healthy lifestyles. |
It said ill-health was costing the economy £100bn a year. | It said ill-health was costing the economy £100bn a year. |
THE NHS WORKFORCE Doctors and dentists - 9.6%Paramedics - 1.3%Other clinical staff (radiogrpahers, physios and occupational health therapists) - 10.3%Nurses - 30%GP practice staff (receptionists, practice managers and dedicated staff such as physios) - 7.1%Clinical support staff (healthcare assistants and ambulance technicians) - 26.1%Managers - 2.7%Property and estates - 5.3%Admin - 7.6% Send us your comments NHS sickness: Workers' experiences | |
Dr Boorman will now spend the next few months consulting NHS staff and government officials before drawing up a final report later this year. | Dr Boorman will now spend the next few months consulting NHS staff and government officials before drawing up a final report later this year. |
Karen Jennings, head of health at Unison, said it had to be remembered that NHS work was demanding where staff were at risk of injury and infection. | Karen Jennings, head of health at Unison, said it had to be remembered that NHS work was demanding where staff were at risk of injury and infection. |
She added that the "patchy occupational health system" must be tackled. | She added that the "patchy occupational health system" must be tackled. |
"That means managers taking a responsible approach to the health and wellbeing of their staff." | "That means managers taking a responsible approach to the health and wellbeing of their staff." |
Sian Thomas, director at NHS Employers, agreed trusts needed to take the issue more seriously. | Sian Thomas, director at NHS Employers, agreed trusts needed to take the issue more seriously. |
"As health is our core business we must put the health issues of our own staff at centre stage so that we all become role models for our communities." | "As health is our core business we must put the health issues of our own staff at centre stage so that we all become role models for our communities." |
And a Department of Health spokesman added that the report made a "strong case for change". | And a Department of Health spokesman added that the report made a "strong case for change". |
"Dr Boorman has identified many examples of best practice that we can all learn from and make a positive change for all NHS staff." | "Dr Boorman has identified many examples of best practice that we can all learn from and make a positive change for all NHS staff." |