Dr Krystal Wilkinson, lead researcher and reader in Human Resource Management at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “While pregnancy and maternity are written into HR policies in all workplaces, our prior research has shown that support for other women’s health issues, and complications of pregnancy such as loss, is patchier. We were delighted to see that the NCA has committed to a comprehensive Well Women Strategy, acknowledging different issues across the life course, and that they wanted bespoke research to ensure their actions were evidence-based.”
Female NHS workers gain enhanced workplace health support
work, pregnancy, baby loss and endometriosis and wanted to work with Manchester Met to better understand how well the NCA is supporting these areas, and where it could make improvements. NCA staff were surveyed by researchers and actions recommended around awareness raising, support for staff affected by women’s health issues, and support for their line managers.
Recognition and support for women’s health issues amongst NHS staff in Greater Manchester has been boosted by a range of recommendations from university researchers. Education and training, backed by the creation of new policies on women’s health, are helping to equip employees at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) with the knowledge, confidence, and skills to better support colleagues. NCA line managers and HR teams are being trained further around menopause, fertility support at work, pregnancy loss and endometriosis, based on recommendations made by Manchester Met researchers. The research - on women’s health in the workplace - was carried out by Manchester Met University on behalf of the NCA. As a result, the organisation – which delivers healthcare to over one million people across Salford, Oldham, Rochdale and Bury – is pioneering support for female staff in the health sector.
She adds: “While staff and line managers at the NCA felt well supported on various issues, we identified areas for improvement in the
availability of information for employees and confidence in disclosing issues to line managers. Also, the levels of support available and access to appropriate provisions, such as paid time off and flexibility, needed improvement.” Enhancing support Researchers worked with the NCA’s Women’s Wellbeing Strategy Group, established in 2022 to make a difference to the support the organisation offers to female colleagues and address any areas of concern raised by women. The group has been developing a wide range of support around menopause, fertility support at
Sharon Lord, NCA health and wellbeing lead, said: “Women represent 78% of our workforce and we know that if our colleagues are healthy and happy there is a direct correlation to improved patient care and safety, business productivity and reduced absenteeism.
“Through our work with Manchester Metropolitan we have already seen a
significant increase in the knowledge of the Well Women Strategy Group and our support sessions are well attended. This is translating into colleagues accessing the information and support they need when they need it.”
6
REGIONAL INSIGHTS
Spring 2024
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online