The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital Charity (RJAH) have been awarded a £50,000 grant from NHS Charities Together and NHS England to deliver a major project supporting the wellbeing of its theatre workforce.
The grant has been awarded as part of an £11million programme – which includes a £5million contribution from NHS England – and is one of 29 ambitious projects across England to receive funding from the programme.
NHS staff are the driving force behind our healthcare system, but they are currently working in some of the toughest conditions in history, with growing pressure from increased demand for health services and rising NHS vacancies.
Research from NHS Charities Together has highlighted that almost half (47%) of NHS staff surveyed said their job was affecting their mental health and 41% their physical health.
RJAH Charity will use the grant to deliver the Theatres Department Staff Wellbeing Initiative – Renovation, Rejuvenation and Revitalisation. Staff consultation and NHS Staff Survey results highlighted that theatre staff face unique pressures, often unable to leave the department during shifts and working in outdated facilities that negatively impact morale.
Victoria Sugden, Charity Director at RJAH, said: “We are incredibly grateful to NHS Charities Together and NHS England for this grant. Our theatres colleagues work in an intense, high-pressure environment, and their wellbeing is vital to the outstanding patient care they deliver.
“This project will create brighter, more supportive spaces and make it easier for staff to rest, recharge and access help when they need it.”
One of the biggest practical challenges identified by theatre staff is the lack of secure storage for personal items such as handbags, lunch boxes and valuables. After long theatre sessions, it is essential for staff to know their belongings are safe and easily accessible if needed.
Improving storage solutions will provide reassurance and remove an everyday source of stress, allowing staff to focus fully on their wellbeing and their vital clinical roles.
The project will refurbish changing rooms and break spaces, improving storage, décor, seating, lighting and overall comfort. Theatre staff will gain access to digital wellbeing resources through fixed iPads, with screens sharing information and calming content.
Food storage facilities will be upgraded, phone-charging points installed, and the environment enhanced with new artwork and other improvements. Staff will also benefit from items requested during consultation, including a massage chair and additional small wellbeing essentials.
These changes aim to improve morale, reduce stress and help staff feel valued in their roles, supporting better mental health and staff retention.
Stacey Keegan, RJAH Chief Executive, said: “At RJAH, the wellbeing of our staff is incredibly important. Our teams give so much of themselves every day, often in challenging and demanding environments.
“Initiatives like this make a real difference, showing our staff that they are valued and supported, and helping us to create a positive, healthy workplace where people can thrive.”
Ellie Orton, CEO at NHS Charities Together, added: “Many NHS staff feel that theirs is the best job in the world, but these roles come with a tremendous responsibility for the lives they care for, and at a time of incredible pressure on health services, this takes a toll on their mental and physical wellbeing.
“In the face of so many wider healthcare challenges it can be easy to forget about healthcare staff, but it goes without saying that we need a healthy workforce if we want a thriving NHS that can give patients the care they need.
“This funding means NHS charities like (Trust Charity) can help ensure NHS staff prioritise their own health and wellness with the same care they give to patients, and we are delighted we can support this important work. We’ve spent a lot of time talking to frontline staff and analysing evidence from previous projects to arrive at solutions that will give healthcare staff the right tools to look after their own wellbeing.
“Applications are now open for a second round of grant funding as part of this programme, in partnership with NHS England, and we’re excited to continue our work with NHS charities and other organisations to help the NHS go further for everyone.”
