Healthcare staff in Calderdale are being encouraged to boost their physical and mental health through a workplace wellness initiative led by Pennine GP Alliance.
The scheme, launched this month, invites NHS employees to take part in team-based challenges using digital tracking to log activity. The first four-week competition rewards staff for completing 15 minutes of daily exercise, with the highest-scoring team set to be crowned champions. Formed in 2014, Pennine GP Alliance is a member-led organisation made up of 19 GP practices in Calderdale, which form five Primary Care Networks, collectively serving more than 223,000 registered patients.
The programme is delivered by Active Teams and funded by Active Calderdale. It aims to tackle inactivity in the area, where a third of adults do not take part in regular physical activity, contributing to poor physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Staff from the Calder & Ryburn Primary Care Network are the first to take part, with more networks across Calderdale to follow. Organisers hope the initiative will inspire NHS workers to share the benefits of movement with patients.
Hannah Davies, general practice physical activity champion at Pennine GP Alliance, said:
“Physical activity brings significant benefits to people’s mental and physical health, but it isn’t a habit for everyone. We’re proud to support our staff’s wellbeing through this initiative and look forward to seeing how their experiences inspire patients.”
Research shows that regular activity can cut stress and anxiety by up to 30%, lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by 40% and reduce musculoskeletal problems – one of the leading causes of workplace absence.
Nairn Robertson, founder of Active Teams, said more employers should take similar steps:
“We need innovative approaches to support the NHS’ shift from treatment to prevention. Services like Active Teams, which encourage people through fun team competitions and challenges, are going to be an important piece of the puzzle.”
The initiative supports national priorities set out in government strategies Get Britain Working and Fit For The Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, which call for preventative measures to improve workforce health.
