Press Release

18 March 2008

Hospital finds out if its ‘Fit for Business’

Mid Essex hospitals has launched a new programme to ensure its staff can perform at their best and that they are ‘fit for business’.

The hospital Trust that runs Broomfield and St John’s hospitals in Chelmsford, is the first NHS organisation in the East of England to take part in the ‘Fit for Business’ (FfB) award which looks after the well being of staff.

Amanda Lyes, director of HR at mid Essex hospitals said:”  ”By taking part in the FfB programme the Trust is making a bold commitment to staff to ensure that they can function and carry out their roles at their optimal best. The Trust has always had a reputation for clinical excellence, and it is our intention to ensure that staff who choose to work here genuinely believe that the same excellence is evident in how we invest in our most valuable asset, our human resources. After all, most of us choose our work not only the financial rewards, but for the sense of meaning it provides in our life. We want to demonstrate that we are a good employer and the we look after our staff, this programme will help us to do that.”

The programme will be focusing on a few key staff groups in the first instance, with a view to rolling the programme out as and when appropriate to all staff. There will be plenty of initiatives that will cut across all staff groups, too. The Trust have recruited a FfB project manager to work in partnership with a company called Creating Excellence to ensure that the Trust meets the robust guidance that will determine if we are worthy of the award.

Amanda adds:” we hope that lots of our staff will take the time to join us on during the launch week as we have lots of great taster sessions on offer, but this is just the start of the programme, there is lots more on offer. “

The FfB programme was officially launched within the Trust during week commencing 21 April, with a special health and well being event on Wednesday 23 April.  This included a selection of well being events ranging from massage and life style coaches to pedaling a pushbike to make your own smoothie.

ENDS

Media contact : Jo Triggs tel: (01245) 514235 | Mobile : 0790 005 4948