MYHT staff make their own health and wellbeing a priority

appreciation station board of compliments

Staff at the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust understand that looking after their own mental health should be just as important as looking their physical health.

The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of all staff.

Alongside a package of support called MY Wellbeing Matters that is available to all staff to access at any time, a number of initiatives to combat stress have launched across the Trust by teams and individuals who are making the right decision to make their own health and wellbeing a priority.

Appreciation station

The Appreciation station is the Access, Booking and Choice teams way of sharing and encouraging positive thinking and improving overall morale within their team. Staff are encouraged to add any comments or thanks to other staff members, leading to a positive atmosphere.

Charlene Mavers, Waiting List Clerk said; "The staff engagement has far exceeded my expectations and the feedback from the staff has been incredibly positive and appreciative for the recognition. I encourage others to try this with their teams!"

EM Ear Angels

Ear Angels are a team of trained volunteers consisting of Emergency Medicine doctors and nurses who staff in ED can access when they need someone to speak to. The confidential listening service allows staff to de-brief following involvement in a stressful or emotional situation.

Wobble rooms

The Trust has a number of designated ‘wobble rooms’ across the Trust. Rooms are designed to support staff who may need a moment at any point during their shift. Rooms are quiet with comfortable furniture, relaxing décor and items to aid mindfulness. They are a private place for staff, away from busy wards and stock rooms, where they can have some time to gather their thoughts.

Mini mindfulness sessions

In 2021 the MYHT pharmacy department introduced a daily 10 minute, 8am mindfulness meditation session and over the course of the year there were 977 attendances to the session.

Since it's launch and following feedback from attendees, the session now runs at different times throughout the week by volunteers.

Mindfulness can improve mental wellbeing, help people enjoy life more and understand themselves better. Mindfulness meditation involves sitting silently and paying attention to thoughts, sounds and sensations of breathing or parts of the body, bringing your attention back whenever the mind starts to wander.

The 'Cup of Kindness'

The Dewsbury Emergency Medicine team have introduced the ‘Cup of Kindness’ initiative to support staff morale and wellbeing. Each month, a staff member is nominated to be awarded the cup. The staff member holding the cup is responsible for filling it full of lovely things and choosing who the next person is to receive it.

Fruity Wellbeing Wednesdays

Every Wednesday, wards at Dewsbury and District Hospital take a moment to put their health and wellbeing first. Each week a basket of fruit is bought by the nursing team from the fruit and veg stall which is generously topped up by Porters Fruit and Veg, then distributed amongst the MDT, giving extra love if necessary to teams in need following an event.

Len Richards, Chief Executive of the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust said;

"It's so great to see that so many teams are making their own health and wellbeing a priority, especially during these particularly stressful times. I firmly believe that if we are healthy and happy, our patients will receive the best care."