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NHS fails to tackle workforce obesity
The Royal College of Physicians has said it is 'disappointed' by hospitals' failure to promote good health among their staff
Guardian Professional, Tuesday 26 April 2011
Selling healthy eating: only a third of NHS trusts help staff to eat well by having healthy options in vending machines.
Most NHS trusts are failing to tackle the problem of staff obesity, according to a report by the Royal College of Physicians and the Faculty of Occupational Medicine.
The document, which examines whether trusts are following NICE guidelines on the NHS workplace in England, says that only 15% of NHS trusts have a policy or plan to help combat staff obesity.
When it came to actively promoting healthy choices in their restaurants, vending machines and shops, 61% of trusts said they promoted health eating in staff restaurants, and this was down to 32% for vending machines and 31% for shops.
Fewer than half of trusts (46%) had a plan to promote the good mental health of their staff, despite mental health problems being the most common health issue reported by staff, according to the findings.
More trusts were involved in other activities to promote staff health, says the report. 73% of trusts had a plan or policy to help employees stop smoking and 82% encourage staff to use local sports facilities.
Dr Sian Williams, director of the Royal College of Physicians' health and work development unit, described the results as very disappointing.
"There is a growing body of evidence to prove that employers who look after their employees will see a more efficient workforce. Trusts that implement the NICE workplace guidance can expect healthier and more productive staff and better patient outcomes as a result," she said.
"Patients expect health professionals to practice what they preach and trusts need to implement the best management practices to maintain the health of their staff."
Karen Jennings, assistant general secretary of Unison, said: "This is a missed opportunity. Rather than cutting vital services and staff, trusts should be investing in staff health and wellbeing. Healthier staff are more productive, and need to take less time off.
"Boosting their health by tackling obesity, smoking and giving people better food choices would deliver real savings that could be used to keep services running."
The report is based on evidence from 282 trusts in England, comprising 91% of ambulance trusts, 73% of acute trusts, 67% of mental health trusts and 52% of primary care trusts. The participating trusts employ nearly 900,000 NHS staff.
This article is published by Guardian Professional. Join the Guardian Healthcare Network to receive regular emails on NHS innovation.
The Royal College of Physicians has said it is 'disappointed' by hospitals' failure to promote good health among their staff
Guardian Professional, Tuesday 26 April 2011
Selling healthy eating: only a third of NHS trusts help staff to eat well by having healthy options in vending machines.
Most NHS trusts are failing to tackle the problem of staff obesity, according to a report by the Royal College of Physicians and the Faculty of Occupational Medicine.
The document, which examines whether trusts are following NICE guidelines on the NHS workplace in England, says that only 15% of NHS trusts have a policy or plan to help combat staff obesity.
When it came to actively promoting healthy choices in their restaurants, vending machines and shops, 61% of trusts said they promoted health eating in staff restaurants, and this was down to 32% for vending machines and 31% for shops.
Fewer than half of trusts (46%) had a plan to promote the good mental health of their staff, despite mental health problems being the most common health issue reported by staff, according to the findings.
More trusts were involved in other activities to promote staff health, says the report. 73% of trusts had a plan or policy to help employees stop smoking and 82% encourage staff to use local sports facilities.
Dr Sian Williams, director of the Royal College of Physicians' health and work development unit, described the results as very disappointing.
"There is a growing body of evidence to prove that employers who look after their employees will see a more efficient workforce. Trusts that implement the NICE workplace guidance can expect healthier and more productive staff and better patient outcomes as a result," she said.
"Patients expect health professionals to practice what they preach and trusts need to implement the best management practices to maintain the health of their staff."
Karen Jennings, assistant general secretary of Unison, said: "This is a missed opportunity. Rather than cutting vital services and staff, trusts should be investing in staff health and wellbeing. Healthier staff are more productive, and need to take less time off.
"Boosting their health by tackling obesity, smoking and giving people better food choices would deliver real savings that could be used to keep services running."
The report is based on evidence from 282 trusts in England, comprising 91% of ambulance trusts, 73% of acute trusts, 67% of mental health trusts and 52% of primary care trusts. The participating trusts employ nearly 900,000 NHS staff.
This article is published by Guardian Professional. Join the Guardian Healthcare Network to receive regular emails on NHS innovation.
