Health & Wellbeing

East Cheshire NHS Trust is fully committed to the health and wellbeing of its employees. As a health service, health and wellbeing applies as much to our employees as it does to the local population and we want to do as much as we can to enable our employees to be at their best, be energised, motivated and committed to their work. Our staff engagement, wellbeing and inclusion-delivery plan focuses on keeping our staff fit, healthy and well throughout their working career, with particular emphasis on the reduction of sickness-absence related to stress/anxiety and musculoskeletal issues. A dedicated team supports the provision of Workforce Wellbeing, Engagement and Inclusion across the Trust.

EAP service - Health Assured provide our EAP service (Employee Assist Programme) it also covers all immediate family living in the same household, including children between 16-24 in full time education. Colleagues can contact them 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. 

Wisdom wellbeing app - provides us with information, health programmes, health checks and much more via the app.

Occupational health - Cheshire Occupational Health Service (COHS) aims to ensure staff in employment experience a working environment for which they are physically and psychologically suited and that protects and promotes employees health. Staff can access support for any health issue via self or management referral.

Fast Track MSK referral - The Trust's Physiotherapy Service provides a fast-track physiotherapy service for staff with a wide range of musculoskeletal problems, for example back pain or shoulder pain. As a staff member you will be offered an appointment within two weeks of the referral being received. There are a range of times and locations to choose from, with the service operating from seven sites across East Cheshire. 

Stress risk assessment - To aid staff in getting the right reasonable adjustments and support needed to make our workplace the least stressful it can be.

Access to work - Via HR, your union representative or on gov.uk.   

Wellbeing plan - Available on ConnECT - to help both you and your manager put a plan in place to support you staying in work.  This is a live document so can be updated as and when required.

Flexible working request - This policy is available on ConnECT and allows us to formal have in place a request that allows us to juggle home and work for example children, dependants and partners rotas. 

Union support - There are 16 unions within our Trust that cover every role here. Each one offers a vast range of services. 

Wagestream - A financial planning app that gives you complete control over your pay allowing you to draw on it earlier if needed.

Healthy workplace allies or Wellbeing allies - Staff Wellbeing Allies are essential in helping to support a workplace culture that contributes to improving mental and physical health and wellbeing. The objective is simple; spread wellbeing news and be a point of contact for staff ideas and suggestions so we can collectively make a positive difference for staff health and wellbeing!  

Menopause policy and toolkit - These were written in partnership with trade unions and won a national award in 2024. The policy is designed to help staff and managers understand this issue and try to provide some helpful hints and tips for many symptoms including lightweight uniforms.

Trust counselling service - This is available via a referral to Occupational Health. There is a wait due to demand so if you need something immediately, please call the EAP service.

Dementia support - 1:1 clinic appointment are available for staff to access information, advice and emotional support around their personal caring roles. 

Step change - Step Change are the national debt charity. Ultimately, they are debt experts - who help hundreds of thousands of people a year - to deal with their debt problems.

Wellbeing conversations - Health and wellbeing conversations are regular, supportive, coaching-style one to one conversations that focus on the wellbeing of staff. Wellbeing conversations consider the whole wellbeing of an individual (e.g. physical, mental, emotional, social, financial, lifestyle, safety) and aim to support staff to manage their wellbeing at work and at home by identifying areas where they may need support, and signposting to information, services, training, or resources that may help. The Trust encourages all managers and team leaders to have regular wellbeing conversations with their staff to help ensure they feel supported and valued.  

Discount Schemes - The Trust offers staff the following discount schemes. for example car loan schemes, cycle to work scheme, eye care voucher scheme and access to lots of NHS discounts!

VIVUP - You can save up to 4% on your food shopping bills?  you have access to lots of lifestyle savings for homes, gardens and pets?  you can save money on your fuel through the PetrolPrices app? 

Free Will Service - Open to NHS staff across England, Wales, and Scotland.  Just mail info@accordwills.co.uk, with your name and contact number, stating you are interested in a Free Will. A member the Accord booking team will be in touch to arrange an appointment. 

Reward and Recognition - Colleague and team of the month, long Service awards, Thank-you post cards

Staff Network Groups - Disabled and carers network, LGBTQ+ network and Black and Ethnic Minorities network. 

Finance Matters - We have now had nearly a year of quarterly newsletters that provides the latest information and news about the current financial climate we are all working in, how it affects us and what we can collectively do to make a difference.

Classes

Thai Chi held on-site at Macclesfield District General Hospital.

Pilates sessions held on-site at Macclesfield District General Hospital by a pyshio-colleague at the Trust.

Bloom Sanctuary holistic treatments - Massage/Facials held on-site at Macclesfield District General Hospital.

Free one-hour taster session in breathwork, grounding and managing stress - This session is designed to meet you where you are and help you shift from reactive states to more grounded, responsive ones. whether you're new to breathwork or already familiar, this session focuses on building emotional awareness, calming the inner noise, and reconnecting with your own sense of ease.

Social Support - The Trust has a dedicated chapel and multi-faith room on the Macclesfield site for patient, visitor or staff use. Anyone can access the Trust's spiritual care and chaplaincy service.

Bereavement in the Workplace - Bereavement in the workplace, survivors, group counselling (death in the workplace). Life assurance/death in service offered.

Health and Wellbeing training - For managers, allies and colleagues; how to have conversations about health and wellbeing. Regular training is undertaken at Macclesfield District General Hospital.

Annual leave - Purchase of additional annual leave scheme.