NHFT Shortlisted for National Healthcare People Management Awards
We are delighted to announce that NHFT has been shortlisted for three Healthcare People Management Awards (HPMA), for effective use of diversity, staff wellbeing, and HR Director of the Year.
NHFT employs over 4,500 people, making it one of Northamptonshire’s largest employers.
The Wellbeing nomination relates to a programme of work the Trust has undertaken to refocus its approach to sickness and absence management – focusing on the promotion of staff wellbeing by investing in Occupational Health services, training staff and managers in resilience and mental health first aid, and developing a policy that allows flexible returns to work, amongst a number of other measures. The new Wellbeing policy was launched in the summer of 2018 at a Wellbeing Festival, held at Wicksteed Park, where over 400 members of staff enjoyed taster sessions of various exercise activities, as well as motivational talks from speakers including Sally Gunnell.
The Diversity nomination recognises work to develop a diverse workforce at NHFT and improve the inclusivity culture. NHFT has worked in partnership with staff networks to provide training and a reverse mentoring initiative to strengthen alliances between Executive Board members and BME colleagues, for example.
The success of these and other initiatives can be seen in the most recent results of the national NHS Staff Survey, where 72% of NHFT colleagues recommended it as a place to work – the highest recommendation in the country for Trusts of its type.
Chief Executive, Angela Hillery, said, “There is robust evidence that people can only provide compassionate care if they themselves are shown compassion and are well supported, and so it is clear that employee wellbeing needs to be a Trust priority.”
“It is a real achievement to know that our hard work in the important areas of staff wellbeing, diversity and inclusion is being recognised nationally, making NHFT a brilliant place to work. These initiatives were all committed to and developed together across the organisation. I am extremely pleased that our inspirational Director of HR and Organisational Development, Chris Oakes has been recognised, we are so proud that he has also been shortlisted for HR Director of the Year.”
The winner of each category will be announced at the HPMA Awards on 6TH June 2019.