Delivering a better working environment for West Suffolk Hospital staff

August 28, 2001

Staff facilities at the West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust have been upgraded as part of a wider programme to improve the working lives of employees.

The NHS Plan set out that every NHS Hospital Trust in England would receive £25,000 to spend on improving their staff working environment.  Staff at the West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust were consulted on how the money should be spent.  They decided that secure bicycle sheds and outside furniture for staff to use during breaks would make the most difference to their working conditions.  Those working at the Walnuttree Hospital in Sudbury opted for 40 comfortable chairs for their sitting rooms.

“We asked staff from our Improving Working Lives team what the money should be spent on, and they decided that better bicycle facilities and outside furniture were what they wanted most,” said Jan Bloomfield, Director of Human Resources at the Trust.  “The secure cycle facilities should encourage people to cycle to work, which as well as being healthy will also ease pressure on car parking spaces.  The furniture will enable staff to enjoy the beautiful grounds that we are lucky enough to have at the West Suffolk Hospital.”

Other initiatives introduced by the Trust to improve the working lives of staff include flexible working hours, personal training and development programmes, a Career Break scheme, a future on-site nursery and childcare vouchers.

“The strength of the NHS lies in its staff and we are determined to make the NHS a better place to work,” said John Hutton, Health Minister. “We are committed to increasing numbers of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals - through recruitment drives and by encouraging trained staff to return to practice.  Ensuring that staff have pleasant areas in which they can relax and convenient facilities plays an important role in this Government’s drive to boost staff numbers.”