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Press release: NHS Employers launches new guide to healthy workplaces10 Oct 2007
NHS Employers today launches new print and online advice for employers, covering a range of workplace health issues from bullying and discrimination to needlestick injuries, sickness absence and alcohol abuse. The Healthy Workplaces Handbook consists of 45 chapters of health and safety advice and is the definitive resource for those with a responsibility for staff health and welfare in the NHS. It has been developed with input from trade unions and occupational health experts. NHS Employers head of workplace health and employment Julian Topping said: "Looking after staff should be a top priority for any employer, particularly those in the NHS where staff welfare inevitably impacts upon patient care. Staff who are feeling well and happy will be better able to look after their patients. "The NHS is constantly changing and its occupational health and safety services will need to change, and adapt, with it. The healthy workplaces handbook provides employers with everything they need to keep up with those changes." "It is entirely appropriate that we launch our new handbook on World Mental Health Day. Stress accounts for 30 per cent of staff sickness in the NHS, costing the service around £300 million every year. It is not a problem that the NHS can ignore. Our handbook not only gives employers the latest advice on how to reduce work-related stress, but other related topics including bullying, alcohol and drug abuse and managing staff through change. There's also advice on employing people with mental health problems." Originally launched in 1998 when it was known as the Blue Book, the latest edition of The healthy workplaces handbook contains over 20 new chapters including protecting staff from infection, diabetes and lone working. Every NHS trust in England will be sent one free hard copy of the handbook and, for the first time, an online version with ongoing updates will be available to paying subscribers. The handbook has also proved relevant to organisations outside the NHS, who can order their hard copies or subscriptions from the NHS Employers website at: Notes for editorsFor more information on The healthy workplaces handbook and our work in this area, see our healthy workplaces pages. Contact detailsThe press office provides a comprehensive service to keep journalists informed about the work of NHS Employers. If you have a media enquiry, please contact the press office team: Emma Robinson 0207 074 3307 or emma.robinson@nhsemployers.org For out of hours media enquiries, please contact the duty press officer on 07880 500726. Last reviewed 10 Oct 2007 |
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