Eighth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

The NHS is Europe’s largest employer – and one of the largest in the world – employing 1.2 million people. As a health-care organisation, the NHS should be an exemplar for workplace wellbeing. This has not been the case. In autumn 2015, an ambitious programme of measures was announced, aiming to make the NHS in England an exemplary employer. Since June 2016, providers of NHS care have been funded via Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) guidance to improve the support they offer to frontline health staff to stay healthy. The NHS presents huge challenges for wellbeing. Some challenges affect most workplaces: how best to engage staff (particularly in small- and medium-sized enterprises), how to extend working lives as the workforce ages, and unhealthy behaviours (poor diet, smoking and lack of physical activity). Others are particularly acute within the NHS, due to its structure and the need for 24-hour care: shift work, musculoskeletal disorders, and stress and other mental-health issues, leading to high rates of staff absence and presenteeism. This report provides insight into how different stakeholders can contribute to improving the health of the NHS workforce, bringing learning from a variety of sources, including the private sector. It presents evidence on the major issues facing NHS employers and employees (illustrated by case studies from the public and private sectors), and possible areas for further engagement. The report also includes a review of existing workplace health interventions for health-care settings and the evidence (or lack thereof) of their impact.