1. Supporting health and wellbeing at the JET Library
John Gale
JET Library
Mid-Cheshire NHS Foundation Trust

2. Pre-existing collection of wellbeing books at the JET Library
Covered:
Anxiety
Depression
Diabetes
Weight Management
Parkinson’s and other long-term conditions

3. New books on mindfulness
Idea of paying attention to the here and now in a non-judgmental fashion
Arising out of Eastern traditions but not itself religious
Has been used to treat stress, anxiety, depression and for pain relief
Uses meditation – many of the books come with ‘guided’ meditation on a CD

4. Promotion
Pulled together a leaflet promoting existing wellbeing collection + the mindfulness books

5. Expansion Seized on by Occupational Health Now includes:
Information about the Trust’s Health and Wellbeing group
Yoga classes run by MacMillan
Link to Crewe Park Run
Complementary therapies
Staff-support telephone number
Counselling and Coaching
Resilience workshops

6. Circulation Now on the Trust intranet
Given to every new member of staff

7. Elevation Susan on the Trust’s EWAG group
Regular HR searches started to come up out of this

8. Sickness Absence I Cost the NHS £1.1bn a year
Women are more likely to be off sick than men
Full-time staff more likely than part-time staff
Main causes:
Respiratory disorders
Digestive disorders
Musculoskeletal problems (30%)
Mental-health problems

9. Sickness Absence II
Complex interplay between people’s bodies and minds and their work environment

10. Sickness Absence III Physical factors: Fitness Weight Smoking Alcohol
Exercise
Sleep

11. Sickness Absence IV Psychological factors:
Finding meaning in one’s work
Enjoying one’s job
Respect from colleagues
Self-efficacy
Mental health problems

12. Sickness Absence V Organisational factors:
Workplace bullying by far the most important
Employee development
Good communication
Employee participation and involvement
Stability
Teamwork
Autonomy

13. Sickness Absence VI Interventions: Fast-track access to physiotherapy
Phased returns
Early referrals to occupational health
Giving people more autonomy
BUT
Often ‘no one takes it seriously until it’s serious.’

14. Sickness Absence VII The Bottom Line:
Fit happy people in a happy workplace take less time off sick!

15. Read all about it!
Making People Count
A monthly HR/OD bulletin from the JET Library – has a section on Wellbeing