John Goodlad memorial lecture
Dr Steve Boorman told delegates at the John Goodlad memorial lecture that if you do not look after the health of your staff, they cannot provide competent care for others. This year’s lecture was delivered by Steve Boorman, a consultant specialist in occupational medicine, who conducted the Boorman Review of health and wellbeing in the NHS in 2009.
At the lecture, which remembers the late RCN Labour Relations Officer John Goodlad, Dr Boorman said that being made unwell by the work you do is unacceptable. There have been numerous pieces of research showing that looking after the health of staff is essential – but organisations are still not listening. He echoed Dr Peter Carter’s comments on the Francis Report: a happy, healthy workforce will ensure the delivery of high standards of care.
Referencing his 2009 review of health and wellbeing in the NHS, Dr Boorman said that organisations that have implemented his recommendations have seen a 35-43 per cent improvement in sickness absence: but not enough have taken this essential evidence forward.
He finished with this thought-provoking statement: “Looking after the health of staff is fundamental to delivering a good service, respecting colleagues and being able to move forward together. Just do it.”
