Working with engagement consultants OC Tanner the organisation hopes to improve the value of patient care. The consultancy will be holding a series of workshops and round tables for senior staff on how to better engage employees.
According to OC Tanner, engaged staff are also 12% better at interacting with hospital patrons, and their patients have fewer incidences of infections, pressure sores and resident falls.
Steven Weeks, policy manager for NHS Employers, said: "Staff engagement is essential to meeting the financial challenges facing the NHS. We hope to offer practical tools to help managers strengthen the engagement of their staff and as a result take better care of our patients."
One trust within the NHS that has partnered directly with OC Tanner to improve staff engagement and wellbeing is Princess Alexandra Hospital. As part of a customised service award programme staff can nominate other employees for demonstrating exceptional performance and offer them a selection of gifts that act as a symbol and reminder of their achievement. The trust similarly recognises important staff milestones and outstanding service to the organisation. Already seeing the positive impact on their staff, Princess Alexandra plans to launch an additional recognition programme over the next fortnight.
OC Tanner says there are many relatively easy and low cost things organisations can do to improve their workforce in ways similar to the NHS. For example, managers should make performance expectations clear, offer frequent, informal reviews and regularly scheduled briefings by senior management to share information and answer questions. OC Tanner also encourages organisations to consider the value of a customised staff recognition programme.
