Improvements in staff health and well-being as set by Boorman“NHS Sport and Physical Activity” report could help the NHS reduce sickness absence by up to a third, resulting in an additional 3.4 million working days a year (the equivalent of 14,900 extra staff) and an annual direct cost saving and improvements of up to £555 million.
The challenge was for the NHS to use the inspirational power of the 2012 Olympics to get NHS employees actively engaged in sport or physical activity.
To create a specific website to encourage and challenge staff in the NHS to take part or participate in a range of physical activities and sports either individually or in a team with their work colleagues.
The website is an online resource for all NHS staff to either find activities or sports that they would not normally undertake and to register as an individual or as a team.
Once registered NHS staff members could then search in their local area to either find other NHS staff who wish to undertake the same activities or sport. Teams can challenge each other and arrange matches or meetings via the website.
NHS Sport and Physical Activity Website objectives:
Challenge to all staff in the NHS to take part in a range of physical activities with their work colleagues
By taking part in the “NHS Sport and Physical Activity” programme, organisations can offer their staff a welcome break from everyday pressures of work life
Help the NHS to motivate staff and offer a great social way to help address some of the challenges set by the Boorman“NHS Sport and Physical Activity” report like reducing sickness absence
The NHS Sport and Physical Activity website is designed to offer something for everyone and to maximise participation and enjoyment it has become an established way for NHS staff to find and sign up to a wide range of sports and activities.
The website provides support and information about how to set up sports and physical activities within the NHS, providing easy, cost effective and fun ways of improving staff health and well-being. Examples of successful programmes include the establishment of an NHS Touch Rugby League, Netball League and Walking Club.
The Challenge has already made a huge impact on the NHS with over 200 NHS organisations taking part which means about 17% of all NHS Staff have now actively participated.
Many of the participating NHS organisations have demonstrated real savings with a reduction in staff absenteeism.
The website was set up to run through to the end of 2012 but the programme has proved to be so successful that the Department for Health has now announced that the funding will continue through until the end of 2014.
Client Testimonial
The Challenge has already made a huge impact on the NHS. Over 200 NHS organisations have taken part and about 17% of all NHS Staff have actively participated in activities.
Many of the participating organisations have demonstrated real savings; Reduction in sickness absence and increased staff morale.
So I am pleased to announce that the Department of Health has extended funding for the Challenge through until 2014
In addition to designing, maintaining and hosting the website, we also developed a customised content management system (CMS) that allowed the client to quickly and easily update all the information on the website.
