York NHS Centre for Occupational Health & Wellbeing

York NHS Centre for Occupational Health & Wellbeing

About

The York NHS Centre for Occupational Health & Wellbeing forms an essential part of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This Trust provides acute and community healthcare services to approximately 800,000 people across York, North Yorkshire, North East Yorkshire, and Ryedale. It covers an area of 3,400 square miles and manages eight hospital sites, including York Hospital, Scarborough Hospital, and Bridlington Hospital.

The Trust employs around 10,000 staff and has an annual turnover close to £1 billion. The Occupational Health & Wellbeing Centre supports this workforce by promoting staff health and wellbeing. Its goal is to maintain a safe, healthy working environment that allows employees to perform at their best. The Centre plays a vital role in helping staff recover from illness, manage stress, and stay fit for work.

Services

The Centre offers a comprehensive range of occupational health services tailored to meet staff needs. Firstly, it provides pre-employment health screenings to assess fitness for specific roles. This helps place employees in jobs that suit their health status safely.

Secondly, the Centre runs health surveillance and risk assessments. These monitor exposure to workplace hazards such as noise and manual handling. Additionally, it offers vaccinations and immunisations, including flu and hepatitis B, to protect staff and patients.

Furthermore, the Centre supports mental health by providing confidential advice and access to counselling. This service helps employees manage stress and build resilience. It also assists with sickness absence management, guiding staff and managers through safe and timely return-to-work plans.

Lastly, the Centre conducts ergonomic assessments to improve workplace comfort and prevent injury. These reviews cover workstations and physical tasks to reduce strain.

Additional Information

The Trust operates under the NHS Constitution, focusing on patient-centred care and staff wellbeing. It promotes equality and diversity, ensuring a respectful and inclusive environment for all employees.

In 2023/24, the Trust handled over 115,000 A&E attendances and nearly 800,000 outpatient appointments. It performed more than 120,000 operations and delivered close to 4,000 babies across its hospitals.

Moreover, the Trust works closely with the Hull York Medical School (HYMS), providing clinical placements and training future doctors. This partnership strengthens its role as a teaching hospital.

In summary, the York NHS Centre for Occupational Health & Wellbeing offers vital support to the Trust’s workforce. It ensures staff remain healthy and capable of delivering excellent care to the communities they serve.