Sheffield Teaching Hospitals praised for work to support staff mental health during Covid-19 crisis

The Trust was awarded the Best Voluntary Benefits accolade at the Employee Benefits Awards, after they developed a range of support services such as free physiotherapy, health MOTs and 24-hour mental health support services.

As long of the largest NHS Trusts in the country, the hospital group employs over 18,500 workers and used staff feedback to create a salary sacrifice scheme to reduce the cost of childcare and car parking, alongside mental health during the crisis.

Sports, hobby clubs and fruit and veg stalls were also set up on all hospital sites in an attempt to help workers throughout the ongoing pandemic.

The Trust also created 45 Calm Rooms during the crisis as part of an enhanced programme of support, to give staff the chance to spend a few minutes away from their work environment to reflect and recharge, with access to refreshments.

A 24-hour confidential telephone helpline and counselling support service was also set up in partnership with employee benefits specialist Vivup.

Mark Gwilliam, director of human resources and staff development at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “Our staff are the reason we can deliver safe, high quality patient care and so it is really important we do as much as we can to look after their health and wellbeing.

"We all have periods where we need a little more support than usual either mentally or physically and so if we can provide that extra help to each other then overall we are a stronger team.

"During these challenging times it is even more important we provide the right support and advice.

“This award is the culmination of so many people’s hard work and determination to do the right thing for our staff and it is great that we have such a comprehensive package of benefits and support in place.

"I would also like to thank Sheffield Hospitals Charity for their continued support for staff wellbeing initiatives like the Calm Rooms and to members of the public whose tremendous support lifted the spirits of our staff during recent months.”

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