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Well
North West Wales NHS Trust
Approach to Back Care
Gillian Jones Strategic Back Care
Advisor
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The North West Wales NHS Trust
provides services for the counties of
Gwynedd, Ynys Mon and parts of Conwy.
It serves a population of about 225.000
people as well as large numbers of holiday
makers who are attracted to the area.
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The trust is responsible for 2 Acute
hospitals, 9 Community Hospitals, 2
Mental Health Hospitals and 3 support bed
units. All are supported by an extensive
network of community, mental health and
learning disability services.
It employs around 5,500 staff and has an
annual budget of over £200 million.
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The health and well-being of staff is a high
priority for the Trust.
The Trust is committed to bring about a real
sustained improvement in the health of it’s
employees.
Managing sickness,will support the employee
and reduces cost of recruitment and early
retirement due to poor musculo-skeletal health.
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Staff sickness absence effects:
the quality of patient care
Increased stress levels for co-workers
Increased risk of injury
Staff moral
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Organisational cost from staff sickness:
Cost of employment increases
Occur cost in recruitment and training
Legal costs.
Loss of reputation and productivity.
May not meet our legal duties
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Effects on the individual:
Pain
Anxiety and Depression
Loss of self worth
Uncertainty about what the future holds
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Trusts strategy to reduce injury and improve
staff musculo- skeletal health has 3 core
concepts.
1. The prevention of injury promotion of staff
health and healthy backs.
2. Identifying causes of musculo-skeletal ill health
3. The promotion of safer handling for patients.
Initial Objectives:
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Change Management
Set up a back care team (2003)
Ensure consistency in manual handling
training across the Trust.
Trust signed up to The All Wales Manual
Handling Training and Passport Scheme
Initial Objectives:
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Change Management
Raising staff awareness by creating
partnerships encouraging staff participation.
Identifying problems and solutions
1. Comprehensive Training needs analysis
2. Reviewed existing risk assessment
documentation.
Initial Objectives
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Review health at work management
systems
1. SMART training for managers
2. Review the no lift policy.
3. Review health at work policy.
4. Staffs perception of their own health
5. Review access to treatment for staff.
Initial Objectives
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Improve staff skills training
1. Train the Trainers course, Certificate of
education course for back care team
members.
2. Equipment provision, hoists, beds, chairs
ect.
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Prevention of injury
Provide training for all staff following the
passport scheme modules.
Foundation training, yearly refresher,
load handling, porters, doctors, peri-
operative, catering department, eye and
dental staff, podiatrists, speech therapy,
physiotherapy and occupational therapy
staff training courses.
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Prevention of injury
New fully equipped mandatory training
unit was opened in July 2006.
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Prevention of injury
Back care team and staff work together,
sharing responsibilities of delivering
quality patient care through safer
handling practice.
Phased return to work assessments
Safer Handling Policy and Bariatric
protocol.
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Case Study Causes of MSD
Pharmacy staff reported high incidence of
lower back pain due to poor working areas
on wards.
Risk assessment was undertaken of
current practice.
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Case Study
Case Study
Case Study 2
Porters reported difficulties pushing new
food hot locks.
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Summary
The Trust’s most important asset is the staff
Prevention is better than cure
Robust occupational health department and policies
to aid staff to return to work
Phased return to work
Flexi Time working
Fast track rehabilitation
Independent counselling service (MEDRA)