Heatherwood and Wexham Park physiotherapy staff workout at work

Physiotherapy staff at Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals NHS Trust were getting active alongside thousands of other workers nationwide on Thursday 8 September, as part of this year’s ‘workout at work day’.

Organised by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy to mark world physical therapy day, the initiative aims to encourage workers to do more exercise and lead healthier lives and to highlight the benefits of having a fitter and healthier workforce to employers.

Physiotherapy staff took part in a departmental stair climb challenge and walked 10,425 steps - the equivalent of climbing both Ben Nevis (8810 steps) and the Canary Wharf Tower (1600 steps), with 15 steps to spare, while continuing with their daily clinical caseload. They were joined by thousands of other people across the UK who took a break from their work - whether in a shop, office or factory - to get active for a healthier, more productive life.

“Workout at work day was a fun way for us to show our commitment to encouraging all patients and fellow hospital staff to lead a healthy, happy life and take up a more active lifestyle”, said chartered physiotherapist Clare Claridge.

“Sickness absence at work due to problems such as back, arm and neck pain can be costly to the NHS, however there are simple steps that employers can take to address health and wellbeing in the workplace. The day was about highlighting the work physiotherapists do to help people lead lives as free from pain as possible, but also to show the value of having fit staff to employers”.

On ‘workout at work day’, physiotherapists recommended the following low cost steps to employers:

• encourage staff to take breaks and get active
• ensure staff receive appropriate work station assessments and advice on carrying out their job safely
• create a work culture which supports work-life balance
• provide a staff notice board where information on healthy eating and exercise can be displayed
• encourage staff to report any physical problems early when they are easier to treat
• encourage participation in activity and sports
• provide flexible working and encourage staff to take responsibility for making healthy choices over diet and exercise.