The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was one of 42 Trusts to be given either a Bronze, Silver or Gold award at a ceremony in London on Monday 9 July. Chief Executive of the NHS, Sir David Nicholson, said: “The health and well-being of our own staff is critical to the quality and effectiveness of the care we give our patients.”

Rachel Hunt, Business Manager in the Workplace Health and Wellbeing team at NNUH said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have our efforts recognised in this Award. We couldn’t have achieved this without the commitment of the staff and it’s great to know so many of our staff are now involved in activities which will have positive affects on their own health and wellbeing. At NNUH we recognise the significance in investing time now to develop a healthy workplace culture that offers longer term benefits, because the link between healthy staff and good patient care is already well known.”

To achieve the award NNUH had to demonstrate how staff initiatives have had a positive impact on sickness absence and staff morale within the organisation and show that at least 15 per cent of staff took part in activities. Other criteria used in accreditation were links with the wider community and involving staff in determining the type of activities on offer and sustainability of initiatives.

In 2011 the NNUH occupational health team re-launched its services with a clear objective to improve staff health and wellbeing. In order to effectively support this new strategic approach, a staff survey was carried out with the help of Active Norfolk. More than 400 responses showed the types of activities staff were keen to take part in and indicated how they could sustain interest long term. These results enabled NNUH to make a noticeable change in its approach to improving the health and lifestyle of its workforce.

As a direct result of the survey staff were given the opportunity to attend a newly formed running club culminating in an annual 5km fun run, beginner golf sessions, Nordic walking, Pilates, yoga, circuit training, weight management classes, a staff Choir and have a free NHS health check. This has been combined with larger scale events such as an open weekend for staff and their families at Whitlingham Outdoor Education Centre, a regional pedometer challenge and a sponsored cycle ride between Cambridge and Norwich in which more than 1,000 people completed.