Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) has been awarded ‘Maintaining Excellence’ status for the Better Health at Work Award.   

The Better Health at Work Award recognises the efforts of employers in the North East and Cumbria in addressing health issues in the workplace. The Trust had held the award for eight years.  

CNTW has been praised for its work in transforming its health and wellbeing approach.  

Recent initiatives have included: 

  • Retirement and finance webinars 
  • Free physical health checks  
  • Enhanced bereavement leave  
  • Paid leave for fertility treatment  

The fertility treatment policy was described as ‘a great example of coproduction and collaboration with both experts and staff with lived experience’.  

The work reflects a deliberate shift towards a staff experience approach. The Trust aims to create an environment where staff feel supported, valued and able to thrive, which in turn, supports service delivery and patient care.  

Lynne Shaw, Executive Director of People and Organisation Development at CNTW, said: “I am thrilled that the Trust has achieved ‘Maintaining Excellence’ status. This recognition is testament to the dedication our teams have shown to supporting staff health and wellbeing.  

“The people who work here are our most important asset. It’s vital that we take good care of them, so that they can deliver the best possible care and treatment to the people we serve. 

“The Better Health at Work Award gives us access to support and a fantastic community of other organisations who we can share ideas and best practice with.”