Cycle Training and Light Therapy for Staff

Board: Western Isles

Theme: Staff Wellbeing

Contact: Fiona Cowan, Health and Safety Advisor

NHS Western Isles Health Board were awarded funding from the Working Well Challenge Fund for Cycle Training and Light Therapy for Staff.

With the funding liteboxes were purchased for use by sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder or working in office locations without natural daylight. Ergonomic posture cushions were also purchased for use by staff suffering from or potentially susceptible to musculo-skeletal disorders.

The Board liaised with NHS Orkney on the liteboxes to discover the projects were operating slightly differently.

The funding also facilitated a presentation to the HR Forum on the cycling schemes operated by Greater Glasgow Health Board. Currently a safety and health promotion booklet is in draft format and staff consultation in progress on the possibility of a bicycle lease-back scheme.

Positives:

  • Liteboxes have been issued to seven members of staff, who have all reported finding the units simple and convenient to use
  • All the feedback received has been positive and improved feeling of wellbeing noted by those staff
  • Ergonomic cushions have been issued to sixteen members of staff, some staff did not like the cushions or feel comfortable using them, but those who kept the cushions have given positive feedback
  • The system is being managed through the OH&S Section with formal feedback requests for both items after three months

Challenges:

  • A timescale and action plan will be produced for implementation of any future successful bids to increase resilience
  • Cycle Scotland had themselves been awarded monies to provide free cycle trainer training in the latter part of the financial year so this meant they did not have the capacity to offer courses before the start of the 2010-2011 financial year.

Suitable for national roll out:

  • NHS Western Isles anticipates take-up of Liteboxes will be greater going in to this winter as the stocks were not received until early 2010
  • NHS Western Isles believe from the favourable feedback this type of unit and its availability would be suitable for national roll out, in particular in the north of the country to assist the wellbeing of individuals in the workplace

For further information on the project please contact Fiona Cowan, Health and Safety Advisor, 01851 708137 extension 2137 or email fcowan2@nhs.net