Tyne Metropolitan College Meets Criteria to Receive another NHS Award
Following on from receiving ‘You’re Welcome’ status from the NHS in November, TyneMet College is pleased to announce that recent assessment by the North Tyneside PCT had revealed the College has met all of the criteria to be awarded a Silver ‘North East Better Health at Work Award’. This award recognises and celebrates the hard work and commitment of employers who are improving the health of their workplaces and their employees.
TyneMet College is continuously looking at ways to develop and support good health practice for its staff and students; this includes working proactively on topics such as mental health, smoking, eyecare and lifestyle/work life balance.
TyneMet has also adopted the Change4Life campaign, posters advising this to staff and learners of how to make a positive change in their lives are displayed around the college.
The Healthy TyneMet newsletter, published every two months, showcases ideas from Change4Life and includes information about ‘Better Health at Work’ (BHAW), health, fitness, nutrition, advice and guidance and details of the weekly smoking cessation clinics which are free for staff to attend.
The College was keen to undertake a Health Needs Analysis (HNA), the results of which have been key to the development and implementation of the new related policies. The number of respondents for the second HNA survey increased from 51 to 118. Analysis of the HNA data has shown some positive trends in the health and fitness of staff at the College.
To complement the written policies, awareness raising posters, leaflets and booklets the Health and Beauty Department at TyneMet offers heavily discounted therapies such as massage, sports massage and other treatment (some free) for staff. The Flex Fitness Suite, an onsite gym, is fully equipped with cardio and weight machines, as well as free weights and is accessible to staff and students, a reduced membership fee is offered to all staff.
Sam Haley, Director of Learner Services, TyneMet College said:
“TyneMet College works hard to ensure that we provide a safe and healthy working and learning environment for both our staff and students.
We value our staff and realise that we have a commitment to them to promote ‘Better Health at Work’ and we will continue to support healthy lifestyle options to the best of our ability.
The analysis of the data from the HNA undertaken by staff and students has been paramount in helping the College to introduce a structured framework to follow, beginning with the development and implementation of new policies and procedures, through to promotional events and collaboration with other organisations.
We are delighted to receive this award and will be working hard to meet the criteria to be awarded a ‘Gold’ award in the future.”
The second Healthy TyneMet week will be held across both campuses at the end of February 2012. Various activities and events will be happening during the week with information stalls and advice and guidance available from key health and fitness partners. Staff will have to opportunity to get free eye tests and discounted glasses from EyeCare International who will also be on site.
The BHAW Celebration Event was a day-long conference with health and wellbeing seminars and key speakers; it was attended by over 70 local companies. The College’s Silver Award was presented to Kirsty Williams, Health and Safety Advisor, by Sir Leonard Fenwick CBE, Chief Executive of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Speakers on the day included Dr Fu-Meng Khaw, Director of Public Health Newcastle PCT & Newcastle City Council; Cynthia Bartley, Health Work and Well-being Co-ordinator Public Health North East ; Prof Tom Kirkwood, Changing Age, Newcastle University; and a motivational talk by Fab Flournoy, Head Coach of Newcastle Eagles.
ENDS:
Photo:
Kirsty Williams, Health and Safety Advisor TyneMet College
Steven Chater, Health Promotion Specialist- Obesity and Workplace, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
