New report looks at the health of NHS staff

Citation

(2010), "New report looks at the health of NHS staff", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 40 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2010.01740aab.041

New report looks at the health of NHS staff

Article Type: Food facts From: Nutrition & Food Science, Volume 40, Issue 1.

A scheme to improve the health of Birmingham NHS employees was among the evidence submitted for a ground-breaking report which was published earlier this year.

The Boorman Review interim report will be sharing its findings and initial recommendations on the health and well-being of NHS staff across the country. The independent review is being led by Dr Steve Boorman, a highly respected expert in occupational health, and will produce a series of practical recommendations to improve health and well-being across the NHS later this year.

Among the evidence sent to the reviewers were details of how NHS Birmingham East and North is leading the way in looking after the health and well-being of its staff by offering a health improvement scheme called BENeFIT.

BENeFIT has already helped more than 725 employees become fitter, lose weight and have healthier lifestyles, with health risk assessments and cardiovascular screenings taking place, hundreds of pedometers handed out and individually tailored programmes given to members. Health coaches have helped staff increase their exercise and motivated them into making healthier lifestyle choices.

Nicola Benge, Director of Health Improvement at NHS Birmingham East and North, said:

We will be interested to see what the report finds about the health of staff across the NHS, and what impact schemes like BENeFIT can have.

The BENeFIT programme has only been going for one year, but results show that it has really worked. Staff have reported that they not only lost weight, ate healthier meals and upped their exercise, but also really enjoyed taking part.

For more information, go to www.nhshealthandwellbeing.org