A healthy working environment creates a positive atmosphere for your staff to thrive and deliver the best patient care says NHS England. 

Providing working conditions that enable a positive working environment can increase the functionality of the workplace and increase employees’ satisfaction with their workplace. A growing body of evidence suggests that positive staff experience is associated with care provided to patients (Dawson, 2014). 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) stresses the importance of looking after staff’s basic human needs: 

“Ensure rest and respite during work or between shifts, eat sufficient and healthy food, engage in physical activity, and stay in contact with family and friends.” 

According to the 2020 NHS staff survey, 40% of staff reported that they did not have adequate materials, supplies and equipment to do their work. Improving the functionality of the work place can reduce the risk of accidents and injury and improve patients experience and safety.    

Public Health England encourage employers to ensure that the following facilities are adequate to support staff: 

  • Eating facilities – including places to heat food 

  • Resting facilities  

  • Drinking facilities – and access to these throughout their work day 

  • Lighting and temperature 

  • Spaces to have confidential conversations  

Public Health England suggest that where possible employers should aim to engage staff in workplace design; as staff know the practicalities of their day-to-day role they can provide considerable insight.

This also allows for staff to feel consulted and have a greater sense of control within their work space. They suggest the use of focus groups, short opinion polls or using other innovative ways to gather staff perspectives.  

Evidence suggests that access to green space can has a positive impact on mental health. The Space to Breathe study set out to examine the impact of green space on workplace wellbeing within the NHS. The study found that: 

  • Over four-fifths of staff said that would like to spend more time in green space while at work.  

  • Staff who regularly took work breaks in green space had significantly higher levels of wellbeing. 

  • The most common way in which staff spent time in green space was taking a walk in nature during their beak.  

  • Approximately half of staff stated that attractive green space was an important consideration for them when choosing where to work, suggesting it may impact recruitment and retention.  

Maintaining safe environments for both patients and staff is essential during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The following information from the Health and Safety Executive offers up to date advice for employers on measures that can be taken within the workplace such as conducting risk assessments, hand washing hygiene and supporting vulnerable workers.

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