Trust is a true champion of wellbeing at work

Laughter really is the best medicine at one of the region’s biggest employers. The health and wellbeing team at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust explain why happiness at work matters.

Nothing brings people together better than a good giggle.

“When you’re laughing together it lifts your spirits and you can just focus on the present and forget the pressures of work and home,” says Susan Hayes, Hospital Engagement Officer at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity.

“That’s why Laughtercise is one of our most successful wellbeing sessions, it promotes the most wonderful team building, and allows colleagues to spend quality time together. It’s great to see everyone feeling positive and re-energised after a Laughtercise session.”

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, Kidderminster Hospital and Treatment Centre and Worcestershire Royal Hospital, has a very strong duty of care towards its most important resource – the 7000 staff who work across its three main sites – as well as the 250,000 patients treated every year.

Their thriving health and wellbeing strategy is proof that happy, healthy staff are the best advocates for patient care.

The Trust – which was recognised for its extensive health and wellbeing support with a Special Recognition Award from the Worcestershire Works Well Partnership earlier this year - provides core funding for the initiative, but fundraising for anything over and above NHS provision is done by its in-house Charity, which works hand in hand with the HR team and enthusiastic supporters from all departments.

As part of its core offer for staff, the Trust provides an in-house dedicated Psychological Wellbeing Service to all staff who may be experiencing emotional distress that is impacting on their work. This service provides a safe and confidential space for staff to check in with their psychological wellbeing and to discuss any additional support they may need. A 24/7 counselling service is also available and its fast-track approach guarantees immediate help and support.

Sue adds, “Additionally, the Charity has also been delighted to fund a host of other wellbeing initiatives such as menopause and carer support packages, including support for working carers. Following the success of wellbeing walks at the Alexandra Hospital, with the added option of mindfulness, we are planning to expand these to the other sites when the weather warms up again.”

The Trust is also an accredited flexible employer and proud recipient of the ‘Employer with Heart’ charter from The Smallest Things after remodelling its policies on family leave and flexible working with help from Timewise consultants.

Overall, there has been an exceptional response, says HR Business Partner Jennifer Carr-Smith. “We gauged people’s feelings on wellbeing at the start of our first Wellbeing Matters Day in May before showing them what was currently on offer and inviting them to have their say in the design of new ideas. By the end of the day, you could see a significant change in how everyone felt. There was so much positivity and a real sense of teamwork.

“We provide regular updates on progress so the staff can see how much we value their input, and where their suggestions are being put into action.

“For instance, the Charity has secured funding for dedicated wellbeing spaces at each site. These new staff rooms will include comfortable relaxation areas and resources to promote positive mental health and will complement our other initiatives, such as the regular Happy Café sessions, that we run.”

The Trust has opened various lines of communication for staff to share their experiences of – and feedback on - the Trust’s wellbeing offer, including a staff Facebook group, staff surveys and a recent Mental Health and Wellbeing Week. Over the course of the week, hundreds of staff wore World Mental Health Day ribbons to show colleagues and patients alike the importance of taking care of their mental health. It was also another opportunity for the Trust’s much-loved Therapy Dogs Nationwide - Aero and Casper - to make a visit, providing respite for staff as well as patients. What really sets this Trust’s wellbeing drive apart from similar initiatives, however, is the sense of camaraderie. Jennifer says, “We have so much support from all our clinical and non-clinical teams, including HR and communications, our thriving staff networks and trade union reps, right through to finance and psychology. We are all united through our mutual passion and interest in health and wellbeing.

“We even have a health and wellbeing steering group, which meets monthly. But ultimately so much of our work would be impossible without our Charity, and we enjoy a great partnership with them.

“Fundraising is so critical to the ongoing success of our Wellbeing initiatives, but it’s obviously really challenging in the current climate.”

Sue adds, “Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity exists to support patients, staff and services across the Trust. We do this by improving the hospital environments and facilities, funding additional medical equipment – and of course supporting staff development and wellbeing.”

And now with Christmas fast approaching, the charity has launched its Wonders of Worcestershire festive appeal to raise more much needed funds that will make the experience less difficult, the environment more comfortable and the working day easier for everyone across the county’s hospitals. To support simply text WAHCHARITY on 70450 to donate £5.

More details about the Trust’s fundraising opportunities are available at www.wahcharity.org

To find out more about working for the Trust visit www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/work-for-us

T he Trust and its charity will celebrate the outstanding achievements of the past year at the annual staff awards in November, which include a nomination for the inaugural Wellbeing Matters Day.

Find out more about Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Chairty at wahcharity.org

Bosch: the reality of green heating

Plans to phase out traditional oil and LPG boilers have been delayed. Martyn Bridges, of heating specialists Bosch, explains what this means for businesses and consumers.

A few factors - but principally the cost-of-living crisis - has forced the government to rethink some of their original timelines and plans for net zero.

Plans to ban oil, LPG and coal heating have now been put on hold for 10 years until 2035. This is particularly good news for rural Worcestershire, where a substantial number of households rely on ‘off-grid’ energy sources. But cash-strapped households will also welcome the news that, contrary to popular belief, you can still buy a boiler and use it until its final flame, even after any proposed ban comes into force.

As Martyn points out, the move towards full green energy will be gradual, as alternatives are “currently fairly limited”, but it’s still a good idea to look ahead – not back.

Electric heat pumps are the government’s green technology of choice, but these are costly, even with generous grant aid, and can be difficult to install. They take up more space than a combi boiler – inside and outand may require new radiators and plumbing, plus a substantial hot water storage system.

Martyn says, “Tiny numbers were sold here last year compared to mainland Europe, but this may be because our gas grid is extremely good, with 85 per cent of all homes connected. Other countries don’t have this privilege so it’s easier for them to choose an electric-based pump system.”

But Bosch – while actively marketing heat pumps since 2008 – has long had another exciting technology in its sights.

The company is a major innovator in hydrogen, taking part in government-funded trials to repurpose the grid for use with this emerging new gas source. Whilst hydrogen-ready appliances are not yet on sale, the trial homes include a full suite of appliances including boilers, cookers, gas fires and even an outdoor barbecue – all developed to demonstrate the possibilities by manufacturers like Bosch.

Martyn adds, “The UK leads the way in hydrogen technology – there’s virtually none in the EU – and our government has committed to generating 10 gigawatts of hydrogen by 2030.

“That has potential to provide heat and cooking systems for millions of homes, and for carbon-intensive industrial clusters producing vital materials like steel and cement. But while trials are underway, a decision has yet to be made on converting the entire grid.”

Conversely, hydrogen is eyed with some suspicion in Europe: “In Germany for instance, people are struggling to afford expensive heat pumps, so there’s a lot of caution around potential costs.

“But work on replacing the UK’s grid network started back in the early 2000s, long before hydrogen was even a glint in the government’s eye. Over 170,000 miles of steel pipework underground is already being replaced by polypropylene.

“By pure luck, the government can see we’re already getting a grid which is fit for purpose for basically nothing. It means in theory you could end up with a hydrogen ready boiler for the same price as a gas boiler.”

Martyn concedes that running costs will initially be higher than natural gas, “but electricity is currently four times the price of gas, so it’s a case of weighing up the pros and cons and looking long term.”

In the meantime, Bosch is championing a hybrid home heating system as the perfect crossover.

“It’s a combination of a smaller heat pump outside which provides heating for around 80 per cent of the time, combined with a gas or oil-fired Combi boiler to generate hot water and heating in the coldest weather when the heat pump can’t cope. There’s no need to change radiators and pipework or find room for a hot water storage cylinder.

“These hybrid systems are already popular in Germany, France and Italy where – like the UK – people would love to be 100 per cent net zero. But they also know it realistically can’t be done all at once.”

Apartments could also be accommodated with a new type of heat network system located in their basements, and partly fed by industrial energy overspills, such as the new housing complex at Battersea Power Station, which has some of its heat supplied by the nearby Tube. This type of solution could be well suited to big office blocks too. Some may even have capacity for a heat pump on the roof – The Shard already leads the way with a mixed-use system. “It’s not easy to retrofit an existing tower block, but it’s a labour of love when it happens,” says Martyn.

“Very few people say that net zero isn’t a good thing,” he concludes. “We just have to make sure we move ahead in a way that produces the best results for everyone.” www.worcester-bosch.co.uk