March 2018
Welcome to the ebulletin Welcome to the March edition of Public Health Network Cymru’s e-bulletin. The spotlight this month is ‘World Day for Safety and Health at Work‘. The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an annual international campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work. It is held on 28 April and has been observed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 2003. There are many resources relating to our chosen topic in the Network’s resource database. We have a new ‘Healthy Brexit Knowledge Base’ now available on our website. Through this Public Health Network Cymru looks at Brexit through a primarily social determinant lens, with the aim of informing practitioners about what Brexit could mean for population health in its broadest sense. We have had a busy month with several events taking place throughout March. Information on all of these events can be found on the Past Events pages on the Network’s website. We have our annual Network’s Roadshow taking place across Wales during May 2018. Futher details can be found on the ‘Grapevine’ pages within the ebulletin We have made some new appointments to the Advisory Group which now means there are vacancies on the Reference Group. If you would like to become a member of the Network’s Reference Group then please get in touch via the email address below. Please get in touch with any information you would like to include on the website or e-bulletin by contacting us at publichealth.network@wales.nhs.uk
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Spotlight on World Day for Safety and Health at Work A national occupational safety and health culture is one in which the right to a safe and healthy working environment is respected at all levels, where governments, employers and workers actively participate in securing a safe and healthy working environment through a system of defined rights, responsibilities and duties, and where the highest priority is accorded to the principle of prevention. This year, the World Day for Safety and Health at Work (SafeDay) and the World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) are coming together in a joint campaign to improve the safety and health of young workers and end child labour. The campaign aims to accelerate action to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 8.8 of safe and secure working environments for all workers by 2030 and SDG target 8.7 of ending all forms of child labour by 2025. Achieving these goals for the benefit of the next generation of the global workforce requires a concerted and integrated approach to eliminating child labour and promoting a culture of prevention on occupational safety health (OSH). International Labour Organization
Mass Unemployment Events (MUEs) - Prevention and Response from a Public Health Perspective’ In the year following job loss due to mass unemployment events, workers can experience double the risk of death from heart attack or stroke and even greater increases in risk from alcohol related disease. Detrimental impacts on health can last for decades with family members sometimes affected almost as much as those facing redundancy. Working with experts across the world, Public Health Wales has led new work on public health approaches to preventing and preparing for Mass Unemployment Events which focuses especially on addressing their impact on the health of individuals, families and communities. Report author Dr Alisha Davies, Head of Research and Development at Public Health Wales, said: “Employment and health are interlinked - we know that good quality, secure employment is good for health. Unfortunately large scale redundancies do occur and the impact can be devastating for those directly employed, and extend to families and communities. Internationally, these events are not uncommon, but there is much we can do to prevent, prepare and limit the impact on health when they do happen. This report highlights the importance of ensuring health and wellbeing is at the core of preventative and responsive action.” The report - ‘Mass Unemployment Events (MUEs) - Prevention and Response from a Public Health Perspective’ – also provides an eight-step framework to support public, voluntary and private sectors with prevention, planning for and reaction to mass unemployment events. The framework identifies key priorities where public health approaches can help with early identification of areas at risk and ensuring responses address the health and wellbeing needs of all those affected including families, the wider community and specific vulnerable groups, such as the existing long term unemployed. Read more here https://www.publichealthnetwork.cymru/en/news/mass-unemployment-events-muesprevention-and-response-from-a-public-health-perspective/
A Public Health Approach to Responding to Mass Unemployment Events - Dr Alisha Davies, Lucia Homolova, Dr Charlotte Grey and Prof Mark Bellis – Policy, Research and International Development Directorate Why did we carry out this research project? Mass Unemployment Events (MUEs) can have a marked detrimental impact on the health, social and financial situation of individuals and families, and can destabilise local communities. There are clear social, economic and health benefits to responding to these events, but often the focus is largely on training and vocational support to secure re-employment for those made redundant. With minimal or no consideration of the health and longer-term consequences of mass unemployment, nor the impact on those indirectly affected such as families and the local community. Whilst there are extensive public health plans to deal with the impact of other acute events affecting communities such as flooding, a framework to respond to MUEs is lacking. How did we do it? The project team completed a rapid review of the academic and grey literature, and compiled 12 case studies of responses to MUEs. They also interviewed 23 individuals with experience of responding to MUEs across eight countries to collate the learning on implementing a response to MUEs often not reflected in academic literature.
What did we find out? The study produced a comprehensive understanding of the health and social impact of mass unemployment on workers, families and communities. This included the: • detrimental impact on physical and mental health mediated through (i) direct loss of income and poverty, (ii) the stressful event and subsequent increased anxiety and loss of self-esteem, and (iii) an increase in self-destructive behaviours, such as smoking, alcohol consumption and attempted suicide • financial hardship for household and family members, in addition to managing stress and securing reemployment, with a detrimental impact on family dynamics • wider impacts on the local community through increased competition in the labour markets, disconnecting social networks, and to some extent emotional trauma, affecting the health and wellbeing of the local population The study identified the need for a longer-term preventative view through: • economic forecasting of global and local labour markets to better meet future needs and ensure development of sustainable employment • skills development in the workforce as an essential foundation for building economic recovery, and ensuring the unskilled are also supported to prevent widening social inequalities • investment in infrastructure and a strong strategic planning process from all major stakeholders, in order to lay the foundation for an economic recovery • more socially responsible employers regarding the management of restructuring • building psychological resilience in individuals and communities to cope with the impact of economic shocks What changed as a result of this research? A public health informed response framework was produced, centring on all those affected by addressing the health and psychosocial needs, alongside re-employment and financial support. This framework is grounded in an understanding of geography and place, recognising that the success of a localised response will depend on the labour market, connectivity and infrastructure of the place. The framework is being shared widely across public health and key stakeholders nationally and internationally to inform practice. This will help to build the evidence to strengthen a preventative approach to the impact of MUEs including how to best identify and support those areas at risk from MUEs.
Introduce Group Cycling into the Workplace – Welsh Cycling Whether looking to improve fitness, mental health or just getting a bit of fresh air over a lunchtime, introducing cycling opportunities for staff or colleagues has the potential to make a positive impact within your workplace. At Welsh Cycling we have focused our efforts towards helping organisations create workplace cycling groups. We have a range of training courses and workshops available to be delivered to workplaces in Wales, in some cases all we require is a few willing volunteers who are able to ride their bikes and a few hours of their time. We have recently helped to set up a number of cycling groups within organisations and community groups across Wales, helping to provide members of the public and staff with easily accessible safe cycling opportunities. We are also working closely with a number of others to assist them in achieving their Gold and Platinum Corporate Health Standard Awards. Introducing group cycling into the workplace could be as easy as giving us a call or email, assuming you can recruit a handful of motivated volunteers we can help to provide all the information you might need. For more information contact Sam Richards (Participation Officer) via: Sam.richards@welshcycling.co.uk or call 07710024802.
Alcohol and the Work Place: Promoting Healthier Choices - Drink Wise Age Well
In Wales, during 2016 there were 504 alcohol related deaths and 50,000 alcohol related hospital admissions. Common stereotypes surrounding drinking often highlight unemployed people or younger binge drinkers. However, according to research conducted by Keele University and UCL, the profile of someone who drinks alcohol the most frequently is someone who is working, in the highest wealth group, university educated and aged 50-60. It is therefore important to understand the role that alcohol plays in the lives of older workers. In 2016, Drink Wise, Age Well released its annual report focusing on alcohol and the work place; ‘Easing the transition: older adults and the labour market’. The report identified that nearly 30% of over 50’s in ‘professional’ occupations drink 5-7 days a week with this being the highest of any occupational group. Retirement was also identified as one of the most significant life transitions which people can go through. This can be a positive experience for some; however others may have an established alcohol problem or may develop one as a consequence of this life change and experience adverse health impacts. It is crucial for the UK’s productivity, economic health and an individual’s personal wellbeing for employers to do more to prevent alcohol problems in their older workforce, and to provide support if problem drinking does develop. The report makes several recommendations to support this: • Employers should have alcohol policies that address problem drinking the same way they would any other health issue.
• Employers should be aware that employees might be reluctant to admit to problem drinking due to concerns about losing their pension if they are dismissed. • To discourage older employees from hiding an alcohol problem, employers need to create an environment where it is seen to be safe to come forward if they are concerned about their drinking. This could take the form of an employee counselling service which provides alcohol interventions; posters in communal areas or peer educators in the work place. • All employers should offer a formal pre-retirement conversation encompassing the health risks and challenges posed by retirement including alcohol and focus on wellbeing, routine and maintaining a sense of purpose. All employers should offer a formal pre-retirement conversation encompassing the health risks and challenges posed by retirement including alcohol and focus on wellbeing, routine and maintaining a sense of purpose. Drink Wise, Age Well also actively works with employers to promote healthier choices around alcohol through the Live Wise, Age Well programme. This consists of multiple sessions which can be adapted to your work place aiming to strengthen an individual’s coping strategies and improve well-being, whilst celebrating the positive aspects of ageing. The programme introduces participants to techniques that equip them with tools to cope better with life’s transitions. Drink Wise, Age Well also offer one off employer alcohol awareness workshops and a ‘peer educator’ scheme to promote healthier choices around alcohol. If you would like to access confidential support around your or another’s drinking, call our advice line on 0800 161 5780, email wales@drinkwiseagewell.org.uk or visit www.drinkwiseagewell.org.uk Additionally, if you are an employer or employee who is interested in promoting healthier choices around alcohol in your work place, you can download our ‘Workplace guide to supporting over 50’s workforce to make healthier choices about alcohol’ at: https://drinkwiseagewell.org.uk/resources/workplace-guide-supporting50s-workforce-make-healthier-choices-alcohol/
SAFETY & CULTURE: The story of Everybody, Anybody, Somebody & Nobody Article written by Adebowale (Debo) Omole and was first published on LinkedIn 4th of August 2015. He holds a bachelor’s Degree in estate management, an MBA from Swansea University and is a member of the Board of Trustees at YMCA Swansea. The story about four people named Everybody, Anybody, Somebody and Nobody by an anonymous author goes thus: There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done Can you relate with this story? I would like to call this important job “the responsibility of safety”. As the story illustrates, when accidents happen everybody looks for somebody to blame for failing to act when nobody does what anybody could have done. Sadly, two recent escalator accidents within the past week in shopping malls in China bring this to fore. The first incident barely a week ago nearly took the life of a child (July 29, 2015). The Child’s mother lost her life. A report according to CNN suggests that some mall employees found a problem at the spot of the incident five minutes before it happened but failed to stop the escalator for inspection and repair. The second incident reported by (CNN as well) a few days later involves a cleaner who unfortunately lost his leg to an escalator accident (August 4, 2015). Investigations are ongoing but state media suggests a violation of operation regulations by not shutting down the escalator before cleaning. In my view, both accidents could have been avoided. Everybody, Anybody, Somebody except Nobody could have done something. Safety
should be part of our nature, it cannot be over emphasized and as such we should make it part of our DNA at work, in leisure or anywhere else. Safety as Cultural DNA Any number of events could have happened prior the incident and an appropriate singular action could have prevented misfortune. We find ourselves asking: Why was the escalator not stopped when a problem was spotted? Why did the cleaner try to work when the escalator was in operation? When was the last time the escalator was serviced? How often is the escalator inspected? Were the mall employees new and did not know who to contact? Maybe they did not see the problem as high-risk enough to escalate? Maybe they were not aware of emergency procedures? Was there a proper induction for workmen and mall employees? Are the facility users aware of safety procedures or precautions? So many things could have been done by anybody to prevent the loss of life. Safety is everyone’s responsibility and though the Facilities Manager on most occasions is saddled with the responsibility of driving Health & Safety initiatives, recent developments around the world appear to point so glaringly at the need to build safety into how we approach and do things. Safety needs to be built into our work culture. Defining Culture A very popular definition of culture within academic circles is given by authors Terrence Deal & Allan Kennedy (1982). They defined culture as “the way we do things around here.” Facilities Management professionals as the chief initiator of safety initiatives should be the drivers and custodians of the safety culture within their respective organizations. They should be the ones to define “how we stay safe around here.” A 2012 blog by the FM Network puts Ownership as first priority of the Facilities Manager while Safety is second and I quite agree. When an FM professional takes the responsibility for making facilities in their care safe for all users, they take the first step in creating a culture that ensures the likelihood of tragic accidents are eliminated. Creating & Promoting Safety Culture How do we create safety culture in the workplace? How do we create a tolerable and non-tolerable appetite for risks? It starts with the safety champion who is otherwise known as the Facilities Manager. The FM professional assists the management in facilitating risk assessments, conducting trainings, identifying areas of improvement within the organization and generally understanding how to help all staff (including senior management) and people accessing the facilities embrace safety culture. Here are some tips to consider and build on: 1. Lead by example. The Facilities Manager and indeed, the senior management team must be seen to be fully committed to Safety culture. The rest of the team will find it difficult to follow if they can not see the leader’s passion in building a safe environment. Your people watch what you do more than what you say. 2. Where are you going? You will need to be clear about what the safety culture is all about and what you are set out to achieve. You should have a safety vision that is well understood by your team. For instance, I like the “Work safe Home safe” campaign by Mitie (a leading strategic outsourcing company). This campaign reinforces safety culture in the way people (both staff and clients) live and work. 3. Encourage good information flow. Flow of information should not be restricted to “Top-to-bottom” approach. It helps when you are not just dishing out reports, reviews, and directions. Importance should be placed on “Bottom-to-top” information sharing as well, you can get good feedback on what is working and what is not. 4. Allocate responsibilities. Make your people personally responsible for their safety and the safety of others. Your team is more likely to make it “my duty” and not somebody else’s duty to act when an unsafe practice or hazard is spotted. Work together on developing your internal processes. 5. Trainings. Invest in training. Refreshing your knowledge as well as your team can make a world of difference in driving your safety culture. New developments happen every day all around the world and your organization can benefit from success stories or unfortunate incidents alike. The whole idea is not to let a disaster happen to you before you improve your safety mechanisms. I do not believe workplace safety can be over emphasized. It takes just one lapse to start a wave of cataclysmic events which individuals or organizations might not recover from. Building a safety mindset into “Everybody” in our daily living will most likely ensure Everybody will not find Somebody to blame for failure because Anybody would have done the job before Nobody can. How do you build and reinforce safety culture in your workplace? What can we learn from your experience? Please comment and let us promote safety in how we work and live.
Occupational Safety, Health & Wellbeing Masters MSc/PgD/PgC
Course Overview The aim of the MSc Occupational Safety, Health and Wellbeing Masters is to enable practitioners to develop holistic approaches to enhancing organisational safety and health through improved worker engagement and wellbeing. The masters degree is designed to enhance the students current understanding and application of occupational health and safety management by enabling students to develop a more holistic approach to influencing worker and organisational performance through the contemporary concepts of worker engagement and wellbeing. Click here to download the MSc Occupational Safety, Health and Wellbeing brochure. To access information online please visit http://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/health/courses/Pages/OccupationalSafety-Health-and-Wellbeing---MSc.aspx
Podcasts
O You asked us for podcasts and we listened! Public Health Network Cymru have worked with a number of organisations to produce podcasts which can be downloaded and listened to on the go. All the podcasts are available in the ‘Get Involved’ section of the website.
On The Spot This month we have Nikki Davies, Workplace Health Practitioner Healthy Working Wales at Public Health Wales on the spot.
Where do you currently work and what is your area of expertise?
I currently work in the Healthy Working Wales (HWW) team within the Health Improvement Division of Public Health Wales. My expertise is in workplace health, covering a range of topics such as; tobacco, obesity, managing stress, health and safety and alcohol just to name a few.
This month’s e-bulletin spotlights World Day of Safety and Health at Work. What do you think are the main challenges facing us in addressing issues around this in Wales? Health and Safety is often seen as a burden for businesses, it can be identified as an extra task or ‘cost’ to the business. There are many myths and jargon that are used around health and safety which can be very confusing for workplaces, for example “you can no longer use a ladder” (which is incorrect). There is a lack of knowledge of the support available for workplaces within Wales. Some sectors, particularly Small & Medium Enterprises (SME’s) can be challenging to reach yet alone engage. And the promotion of the support available can be very limited and confusing for businesses, including funding options and who the enforcing authority is for their type of business. Technology changes rapidly, placing pressures on both work places themselves and on the Healthy Working Wales programme, as we need to have the resources to support organisations who use the latest technology and keep up with this ever changing world. The ageing workforce needs to be considered within workplaces; experienced workers are a valuable asset to businesses. Employee health issues such as the menopause, prostate cancer and musculo-skeletal conditions present challenges to businesses but also opportunities to engage and support employees in remaining well in work.
What are the most important issues facing public health in regard to this topic?
If we are considering health and safety specifically, poor workplace health policies and systems can impact on both people’s mental and physical health and wellbeing. Workplace related sickness cost the UK government and employers approximately 12bn in 16/17, much of which could have be avoided if good health, safety and wellbeing management systems were in place. As older workers begin to make up a greater proportion of the workforce, helping people to remain in work whilst living with chronic health conditions or undertaking caring responsibilities for others, and to an older retirement age, will all feature as Public Health concerns. The Healthy Working Wales programme aims to support employees and employers in this respect, in addition to promoting healthier lifestyle choices for all working age adults. It is also important to remember that good work is good for health and so a major Public Health issue of our time is how we can encourage good quality work and responsible business practice to improve population health.
Do you think Wales could be doing more to improve awareness of workplace health?
Yes, I think in Wales we could do more to promote the fantastic services we have available to support people in Wales, including the Healthy Working Wales programme. In Wales people spend on average 40 hours per week in full time employment making the creation of a healthy workplace extremely important, including making staff feel valued and appreciated. Public Health Wales through the Healthy Working Wales programme seeks to use the opportunities of this time spent in the workplace to promote healthy lifestyles. We encourage employers to promote awareness in their staff of topics such as tobacco use, alcohol and drugs use, physical activity and nutrition along with many others they find appropriate for their workplace and employees. Our aim is not to force people into making changes but encouraging sustainable behavioural change for a healthy lifestyle for life.
If you were granted 3 wishes what would they be? 1. A full night sleep – (my son is 18months) 2. To continue my MSc in Public Health 3. To win the lottery!
What are your personal interests/hobbies? 1. Spending time with my family 2. Walking 3. Crafting
The Grapevine This section of the ebulletin is dedicated to news from the network members. You can submit news on the work being undertaken in your area, write us an article, showcase an upcoming project or show off your achievements! If you would like to submit an article for the Grapevine, please email publichealth.network@wales.nhs.uk The article should be no longer than 500 words and pictures are always welcome!
Research in Wales Showcase Event: Research with Impact
Over 400 delegates attended Public Health Wales’ ‘Research in Wales’ event on Thursday 8th March in Cardiff or followed a live stream of the day. The event was held to showcase research with impact by Public Health Wales and Welsh higher education institutions, public sector, and third sector. The event chaired by Chief Executive Tracey Cooper had a strong networking element with over 30 stalls and posters from partner organisations raising awareness of different areas of work and collaborative opportunities. Stephan McMillan, Head of Knowledge Mobilisation and Liaison within the Welsh Government gave the thought-provoking opening address. He emphasised the importance of research impact, the need for researchers to operate in closer proximity to their intended stakeholders and the importance of leadership to overcome barriers to knowledge mobilisation. The event’s social media audience were actively engaged in sharing their thoughts of the day, with dozens of tweets using the event’s Twitter hashtag #RIW2018. Public Health Wales Chair, Jan Williams opened the afternoon session that both featured research funded by Public Health Wales and Public Health Wales own research. Dr Ross-Houle and Dr Porcellato from Liverpool John Moores University showed how further education is needed amongst primary school-aged children to address their perceptions on electronic cigarettes. Their research showed that some children perceived e-cigarettes to be “cool or fashionable” with misconceptions
such as "e-cigarettes are healthier (vs. smoking) because it has fruits in it". Mark Griffiths, one of the event’s organisers, summed up the event by saying ‘it is exciting to see so many people here today or watching a live stream of the event, representing so many different organisations. It really does highlight how public health research benefits from partnership working to achieve the greatest possible impact.’ An online poll was taken throughout the day where the audience were asked questions about public health topics requiring further research and how public health research demonstrates its impact. The research team would like to encourage staff from across the organisation with an interest in research to share and explore ideas by visiting the R&D Community website where the presentations, polling results and photos from the day can be found.
Public Health Network Cymru Sustainability Showcase 2018 Sustainability Showcase is a series of events taking place across Wales in May 2018. They aim to provide: • An update on developments within Public Health Network Cymru, and the Public Health Wales Health and Sustainability Hub • Networking space and an opportunity for local projects to showcase their work • An opportunity to engage with the office of the Future Generations Commissioner Should you have a health & sustainability project you wish to promote, please contact us at: publichealth.network@wales.nhs.uk The events are free to attend and a buffet lunch will be provided at all venues. Places are strictly limited so please book early. Please click on one of the following events to register via Eventbrite: 2nd May - Bangor Management Centre, Bangor 3rd May - Ramada Plaza, Wrexham 8th May - All Nations Centre, Cardiff 10th May - Media Resource Centre, Llandrindod Wells 16th May - Halliwell Centre, Carmarthen 23rd May - St Michael’s Centre, Abergavenny
News Round-Up Welcome to the News Round-Up. Click on the headings of the news item to take you to the full news story on the Public Health Network Cymru Website.
Obesity Study of Nearly 300,000 People Challenges the ‘Obesity Paradox’
The idea that it might be possible to be overweight or obese but not at increased risk of heart disease, otherwise known as the “obesity paradox”, has been challenged by a study of nearly 300,000 people published in in the European Heart Journal.
Mental Health Novel Approach to Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
A novel approach of using visual and physical stimulus to help military veterans address their traumatic experiences could soon play a significant role in helping British veterans overcome posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), thanks to a new Cardiff University research project.
Physical Activity Cycle or Scoot Around the World in 10 Days
Sustrans Big Pedal is the UK’s largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge inspiring pupils, staff and parents to choose two wheels for their journey to school.
Natural Environment Coed Lleol Job Vacancies
Coed Lleol are pleased to announce we have the following two job vacancies, both based in Machynlleth, which may be applied for individually as separate roles separately or together (only one application required).
Click Here for more news on the Public Health Network Cymru website
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Transforming Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Promoting, Protecting and Improving Children and Young People’s Mental Health Central London Dementia: Quality of Care Conference The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Sustrans Big Pedal 2018
Next Steps for Research and Innovation in Wales Central Cardiff Poverty Awareness Carmarthen New Pathways SURE for Mental Health Interactive Conference 2018 Catrin Finch, Wrexham County Lines Exploitation - Gangs, Drugs & Wales Cardiff
Click Here for more events on the Public Health Network Cymru website
Contact Us Capital Quarter 2 Floor 5 Tyndall Street Cardiff CF10 4BZ www.publichealthnetwork.cymru If you have any news or events to contribute to the next edition please submit them to publichealth.network@wales.nhs.uk Deadline for submission is the 3rd Friday of every month.
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World No Tobacco Day