'Take a break' culture established at NHS trust
Posted 20 March 2017 - 11:19
A campaign has been launched at an NHS trust to encourage staff to take frequent breaks and improve their health and well-being.
The HALT (Hungry, Angry, Late, Tired) campaign at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London urges nurses and other healthcare workers to plan their own breaks during the work day.
Managers and team leaders are also advised to lead by example.
'Take a break' culture
The trust's chief nurse Dame Eileen Sills said: ‘The HALT campaign reiterates our commitment to ensuring that all staff take their breaks, and that we create a ‘take a break’ culture at our trust.
‘It gives our staff the chance to take a breather and replenish energy levels by eating or having a drink, physically resting or taking a mental
A campaign has been launched at an NHS trust to encourage staff to take frequent breaks and improve their health and well-being.
The HALT (Hungry, Angry, Late, Tired) campaign at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London urges nurses and other healthcare workers to plan their own breaks during the work day.
Managers and team leaders are also advised to lead by example.
'Take a break' culture
The trust's chief nurse Dame Eileen Sills said: ‘The HALT campaign reiterates our commitment to ensuring that all staff take their breaks, and that we create a ‘take a break’ culture at our trust.
‘It gives our staff the chance to take a breather and replenish energy levels by eating or having a drink, physically resting or taking a mental break.
‘As well as being important for staff health and well-being, taking breaks also allows them to make the best possible decisions for our patients.’
Fighting fatigue
RCN London regional director Bernell Bussue said: ‘It is vital that nurses working shifts can take breaks to prevent fatigue and the negative effects this can have on patient safety and their own health and well-being.’
The HALT campaign was launched on 17 March when all staff received information and attended workshops about the importance of taking regular breaks. The launch date was chosen to coincide with World Sleep Day.
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