NHS Health and Well-being Review
The publication of the interim report of the Boorman Review on the 19th of August 2009 has highlighted a number of major issues within the NHS, many of which have relevance to the general working population. For example, key public health initiatives to reduce smoking, alcohol consumption, reducing obesity and improving mental health and wellbeing are priorities for the NHS. What has made headlines within the media are the high levels of sickness absence in the NHS compared to other employers, but also reported were high levels of presenteeism, high levels of self-reported stress and a belief that managers do not take a positive interest in staff well-being.
Respondents to the survey were asked about their perceptions of the role of occupational health, health promotion and other wellbeing services. A number of concerns were raised including a lack of investment, inconsistent occupational health services, lack of commitment from management, no use of information collected on the impact of poor health or well-being and lack of consistent line management approaches. A number of suggestions are made to provide high quality support to staff including a focus on prevention and health improvement, being proactive in early intervention in work and lifestyle issues, being responsive to staff and embedding these support mechanisms as key business priorities.
The review and appendices are a great source of information on perceptions within the NHS. Within the appendices, the literature review provides examples of interventions to enable the development of good practice. Four organisations were also identified as exemplars that could provide good practice in the development and running of workplace health initiatives. The full report and appendices are available at
http://www.nhshealthandwellbeing.org/InterimReport.html
It should be stressed that this is an interim report and that there is a further period of consultation before the study is concluded.
In parallel with the Boorman review, the IOM has been engaged in carrying out a systematic review funded by the National Clinical Assessment Service to identify the physical health risks to regulated health professionals. This work has identified a number of health issues including musculoskeletal and dermatological risks across the regulated health professions. This review is expected to be published in the autumn.