Durham Constabulary receives Bronze Working for health Award (From The Northern Echo)

Durham Constabulary receives Bronze Working for Healthy Award

3:07pm Wednesday 30th December 2009 in NHS Darlington and County Durham

Durham Constabulary’s efforts to boost the well-being of its staff have been recognised by being awarded the Bronze level of the Working for Health award from NHS Darlington.

Anna Lynch, Acting Executive Director of Public Health for NHS County Durham and NHS Darlington will be presenting the award to deputy chief constable, Michael Barton. The Working for Health Award aims to encourage and reward employers who promote a healthy workforce and workplace.

The award has been achieved by the development of a health management strategic plan. The plan outlines the forces long and short term aims and objectives to achieve: • Healthy workforce • Improve force’s health related services • Improve and monitor attendance management • Meet the force’s health and safety obligations • Utilise management information to improve current practices • Identify and develop new services.

They are particularly pleased with the absence management system that has been piloted. This has been put forward for a national occupational health award, the winner of which has yet to be confirmed.

Achieving the bronze award has given Durham Constabulary a framework which they can use to assess the health related services they have in place and to identify any gaps.

Anna Lynch, Acting Executive Director of Public Health for NHS County Durham and NHS Darlington, said: “I am delighted to present the Working for Health Bronze Award to the Durham Constabulary.

This award demonstrates that the Force is committed to focusing on improving the health of their workforce, by developing healthy working conditions, offering health information at work and practical help to make healthy choices easier”.

The 'Working for Health' award scheme enables the PCT, in partnership with local organisations, to achieve health benefits for staff across County Durham and Darlington, their families and their communities.

Ends Media contact: Communication department: Telephone: 0191 333 3386 or email pat.lawlor@nhs.net