Scenarios

Chapter 4: Creating supportive environments for health

There are clear links between workforce well-being and performance and patient satisfaction. The NHS loses over 10 million working days each year due to sickness absence alone. Presenteeism is high in the NHS: many NHS workers are working when they feel unwell. Staff with poor general physical health report more absence and for longer periods of time than those in good health. Smoking is also high among nurses as an occupational group.

• 1. What might account for these high levels of sickness-absence in the NHS?

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  Correct answer:
  The NHS provides a round-the-clock service and staff work long shifts and the work is often physically and psychologically demanding.

• 2. Suggest three actions that a local NHS organization could take to improve staff health and well-being.

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  Correct answer:
  Your answer might include implementing healthy working initiatives such as promoting a healthier workplace by providing exercise facilities; having an active travel policy to promote walking or cycling to work; implementing health and safety policies such as lifting policies and counselling support; supporting individuals back to work after periods of sustained illness.

• 3. Hospitalization provides an ideal opportunity to give up smoking. What could a hospital do to encourage patients to quit?

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  Your answer might include:

  • Identify smokers and establish a thorough tobacco history, supported by routine audits.
  • Provide access to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and other smoking cessation medications for all patients.
  • Integrate smoking cessation counselling into the treatment plan.
  • Refer patients to community smoking cessation services at time of discharge.