Heartbeat: Wellbeing hampers boost morale on wards

November 18, 2019

Our paediatric units across the organisation have introduced wellbeing hampers to help support colleagues during the more demanding times of their shifts.

The hampers which are now in place at both paediatric units at City and Sandwell contain a variety of treats and confectionery from breakfast cereals and soups to tights and toiletries.

When patients are pouring through the doors it’s sometimes easy to forget to look after yourself. The new hampers provide a little treasure chest of treats waiting in the wings should someone need something to energise themselves.

Though very much a team effort, Joanne Wright, ward manager on Lyndon One ward has played a massive role in implementing the wellbeing baskets across the Trust. She said: “There are occasions where staff are very busy and will go the extra mile often sacrificing their own comfort. Whether it be something small like a snag in your tights or being at work and having something to tie your hair with, the wellbeing baskets can easily compensate for such things.”

The wellbeing baskets are self-sufficient in the sense that when a colleague takes an item, they then replace it ready for the next person. This means that everything is readily available and stocked up with all the essentials.

There has been lots of positive feedback about the hampers with clinical colleagues across the Trust praising the innovative idea.

“The baskets are a simple but effective idea and make perfect sense,” Cheryl Newton, Director of Nursing told Heartbeat. “I think going forward; they could potentially be introduced across many other areas within the hospital so that should there ever be someone in need, it’s only a hamper away.”

She added: “I have to also say a big thanks to all ward managers including Joanne Wright for having the perseverance in introducing the hampers. Without their initial kindness, none of this would have been possible.”