supporting nhs leaders: a key to enhancing wellbeing across teams
A spotlight on the NHS Leaders Wellbeing Programme from colleagues at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. The NHS is built on the dedication and compassion of its workforce. However, we cannot expect our workforce to fully focus on patients and their care if they do not themselves feel cared for. As we navigate our way through a combination of complex service pressures, the impact of workforce and economic challenges and system change, it is easy to lose sight of our own wellbeing. Evidence shows that leaders are pivotal in ensuring a supportive and thriving workplace. When leaders are supported in their wellbeing, they can lead with clarity and compassion, directly influencing the culture of their teams. Teams with supported leaders often report higher job satisfaction, better communication, and lower absenteeism rates. Ultimately, this translates to improved patient care and this was a key driver for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) getting involved with the NHS England Leaders’ Wellbeing Programme Local.
The programme, delivered in the Trust by members of the Transformation, Organisational Development, Inclusion and Staff Experience (TODIE) Team, recognises the unique pressures faced by those in leadership and offers a comprehensive suite of resources and support systems tailored specifically to aid NHS Leaders’ resilience, engagement, and effectiveness.
“
Based on feedback from participants and, drawing on the experiences of programme faculty colleagues at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, ELHT have adapted the offer to be delivered to future cohorts as a 1-day programme. As we enter more challenging times across the local system, ELHT are also reviewing how the offer can be used to support the workforce via bitesize sessions of no longer than an hour, such is the flexibility of the programme and its resources. Managing my own wellbeing has helped me to better manage my team and lead by example. I have a better understanding of wellbeing now; I can communicate in a more positive way and support others better. The programme also reassured me that I was performing well in this area prior to the course but can now do even better. ELHT programme participant “
I’ve realised that my wellbeing is just as important as the teams I manage. I feel I am more supportive of my staff now that I don’t feel as “burnt out” which benefits all parties. ELHT programme participant
Programme progress and potential impact:
Executive sponsorship and support are crucial in this work. At ELHT, Kate Atkinson, Director of Service Development, and Improvement, completed the NHS Executive Leaders’ Wellbeing Programme; a short development programme designed for senior colleagues to support and empower local programme facilitators to help continue to embed a culture of health and wellbeing into the organisation. Kate is also the Executive Sponsor for the Mental Health Staff Network at ELHT. If you would like to know more about ELHT’s approach to the programme, please contact leadershipandmanagement@elht.nhs.uk Red pins: Location of local facilitators. Blue pins: Participants of the Executive programme.
There is currently a national faculty of 151 programme facilitators.
To date they have run 3 cohorts across 3 interactive half day modules as follows:
If each of those 151 facilitators works with 45 participants, the work will reach 6,795 leaders directly. And if each participant leader influences c.3 team members, then the work will reach 20,3855 NHS staff. You can find out more about the programme here.
“
Ensures leaders understand the importance of wellbeing to patient care and staff culture. Equips leaders with tools and techniques to look after themselves as a starting point. Explores how leaders can manage pressure productivity and use healthy leadership behaviours to foster staff wellbeing.
At ELHT we use the NHS People Promise as a guiding principle for our leadership and management development. The Leaders’ Wellbeing Programme directly supports the goals of the NHS People Promise by fostering a leadership culture that values teamwork, compassion, inclusivity, safety, and flexibility. Jane Wilkinson, NHS People Promise Manager, ELHT
Examines the real impact and practical steps leaders can take to improve team wellbeing such as building psychological safety and QI approaches.
nw.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk | Leader
18 Leader | nw.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk
19
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting