Workforce Wellbeing Best Practice Framework

The purpose of this document is to provide a best practice framework to guide commissioners and budget holders, senior hospital management and the intensive care team on ways to provide the best possible employee experience within intensive care. The aim is to support and improve recruitment, retention, job satisfaction, unit culture but also to have an impact on clinical outcomes and patient safety and there is a significant return on investment when employers spend money directly on the mental health of their employee.

Wellbeing is considered a dynamic state in which an individual is able to reach their potential, be productive and creative, build positive relationships and contribute to a wider community and find a sense of purpose. Work has an important role in shaping a person’s overall wellbeing through the interaction of the environment (including the people in that environment), the nature of the work and individual attributes as well as the interaction with life outside of work. Work can have negative effects on psychological wellbeing and work-related stress is defined as the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or demands. Burnout is one identified impact and is a psychological syndrome with three key features: depersonalisation, loss of a sense of accomplishment, and emotional exhaustion.