Jenni Giles
Administration Manager
Medwyn Surgery, Dorking
The Challenge
As part of her role as the Administration Manager for a large GP (General Practice) practice, Jenni was responsible for arranging staff rotas to ensure that staffing was in place to deliver services. She became aware that there were increasing levels of sickness and absence across the staff group and higher stress levels with staff experiencing a reduced sense of work-life balance. Seeing the impact that this was having on her team, Jenni wanted to promote health and well-being and to support staff in taking care of not only their physical health, but also their mental and emotional health.
In addition, there had been significant change in the practice over a short time, with senior practice staff and GPs leaving and new staff recruited, which had left staff feeling unsettled. As the practice is set over three floors in a large building, staff in the administration team on one floor were not fully aware of the issues that reception staff on the Ground Floor were experiencing or the resulting impact on wellbeing. Retention of staff was also affected, particularly those working in the reception which was Jenni’s passion.
After completing the CARE Programme, Jenni was determined to put further measures in place that staff would engage with and enjoy, and which would also highlight the importance of healthy lifestyles and good work-life balance. Jenni had arranged both Pilates and Yoga exercise classes for staff previously but wanted to increase the opportunities for staff to take part in activities that would improve their wellbeing. Determined to foster a more positive and happier workplace, Jenni set out to educate and inspire staff on the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
“I want to encourage and educate staff to think about their life and work balance in the work place, promoting a positive and happier team.”
The Innovation
Jenni was passionate about promoting health and well-being in the workplace. She was determined to create a more positive work environment, and decided she could make a difference by putting in place several practical activities that staff could take part in to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
She had already organised a Pilates and Yoga class in the practice for those who were interested, which gave staff a good sense of well-being and satisfaction. Though the classes have moved to another venue, Jenni has ensured that staff are still able to attend the classes nearby to ensure continued benefit and which has also allowed more community connectedness and friendship groups outside of work.
Despite the challenges of arranging activities in the busy summer season, Jenni has also organised regular walks for staff with a lunch or a coffee afterwards, which gives staff a good chance to meet up and chat so that team members get to know each other better. A greater sense of ‘team’ has developed, and staff often take a few minutes out to buy coffees from a mobile van opposite the surgery for colleagues. She has introduced short Mindfulness sessions at both general administration and reception team meetings to give those staff who want to engage to have a few moments of calm and quiet. These sessions have been very well-received and Jenni plans to continue these with other members of the practice, as well as other Teams who are co-located in the building, such as some of the additional PCN staff: Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapists. This has resulted in the development of stronger working relationships and networks on the site.
In addition, as Jenni is responsible for arranging social events at the practice, she regularly shares surgery and staff news via a Staff Page on the surgery’s intranet to improve communication and engagement. Special events and information are shared by email across the entire staff group, and she has plans in place to develop a Staff Newsletter too. Jenni is planning to raise awareness of her initiative at an upcoming PLT session to encourage further participation.
“Felt calm and ready for the meeting.”
The Impact
- Improved staff health, wellbeing, and resilience
- Reduction in number of sickness absence days taken by staff
- Improved sense of team working across all staff groups including the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)
- Increased opportunities for staff to meet outside of work for social activities, building stronger work relationships
- Increased staff engagement provides opportunities to expand into other support, e.g. Coaching for staff
