Download Portsmouth Hospitals Healthy Weight Healthy Lives Policy

Healthy Weight Healthy Lives
Version
2
Name of responsible (ratifying) committee
Health & Safety Committee
Date ratified
8th May 2013
Document Manager (job title)
Occupational Health Nurse Specialist/Health
Promotion Specialist
Date issued
22 May 2013
Review date
March 2015
Electronic location
Corporate Policies
Related Procedural Documents
Risk Assessment Policy
Key Words (to aid with searching)
Weight, obesity, body mass index
Healthy weight healthy lives policy. Issue 2 22/5/2013 (review date March 2015)
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CONTENTS
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE ............................................................................................................. 3
1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................... 4
2. PURPOSE ................................................................................................................................... 4
3. SCOPE ........................................................................................................................................ 4
4. DEFINITIONS .............................................................................................................................. 5
5. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES .............................................................................................. 5
6. PROCESS ................................................................................................................................... 6
7. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................... 6
8. REFERENCES AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTATION ............................................................ 6
9. MONITORING COMPLIANCE WITH, AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF, PROCEDURAL
DOCUMENTS .............................................................................................................................. 7
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QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
For quick reference the guide below is a summary of actions required. This does not negate the need
for the document author and others involved in the process to be aware of and follow the detail of this
policy.
1. NICE guidance 43 places a responsibility on large employers to promote health & wellbeing at
work.
2. Portsmouth Hospitals Trust’s Healthy weight healthy lives policy is focused on support and
forms part of the wellbeing strategy. It aims to raise awareness and provide guidance on
issues relating to obesity, health and sickness absence.
3. An unhealthy weight can have an impact on overall health and can increase risk factors for
disease and absence from the workplace. The policy encourages adoption of a proactive
approach to prevent and minimize the risks associated with obesity in the workforce and
draws attention to the Trust’s strategy of health and well being.
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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1
The National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidance 43 in December
2006 for local authorities, schools and early years providers, workplaces and the public. This is
guidance on the prevention, identification, assessment and management of overweight and
obesity in adults and children. There are two parts of the guidance, the first is related to NHS
Trusts and examines how as an employer we support staff. The second focuses on the
treatment & care pathways of patients. The Health Care Commission have linked trust
performance ratings with compliance with NICE guidance 43. This policy has been written to
help provide Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust (“the Trust”) with guidance on how to achieve the
goals of NICE guidance 43.
1.2
NICE guideline 43 states that all workplaces, particularly large organisations such as the NHS
and local authorities, should address the prevention and management of obesity, because of
the considerable impact on the health of the workforce and associated costs to industry.
Workplaces are encouraged to collaborate with local strategic partnerships and to ensure that
action is in line with the local obesity strategy (in England).
1.3
The British Heath Foundation (BHF) states that the UK has one of the world’s fastest growing
rates of obesity. They suggest that the most common cause for this is due to a combination of
excessive calorie intake and reduced physical activity.
1.4
The associated risks from being overweight are as follows: obesity increases the risk
of conditions, such as coronary heart disease and type 2diabetes, as well as a range of
other problems, from sleeping difficulties, back pain and breathing problems. The extra weight
itself may lead to wear and tear on joints, which may cause mobility problems. There is an
increased risk of health problems if the extra weight is carried around the person’s waist and
they are at particular risk of developing coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2
diabetes.
2. PURPOSE
2.1
The purpose of this policy is to:
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Raise awareness and provide guidance on issues relating to obesity, health and sickness
absence;
Encourage adoption of a proactive approach to prevent and minimise the risks associated
with obesity within the workforce;
Draw attention to the Trust strategy on health & well being and to help promote a culture
of health (including good nutrition and physical activity) within the organisation;
To comply with NICE guidance 43 on obesity;
To link with other Trust policies related to promoting health & wellbeing and Health &
Safety.
3. SCOPE
3.1
This policy applies to all staff (including contractors, voluntary workers, students, locums and
agency) within the Trust, the MDHU (Portsmouth) and the FM service provider, whilst
acknowledging for staff other than those of the Trust the appropriate line management or chain
of command will be followed.
3.2
In the event of an infection outbreak, flu pandemic or major incident, the Trust recognises
that it may not be possible to adhere to all aspects of this document. In such circumstances,
staff should take advice from their manager and all possible action must be taken to
maintain ongoing patient and staff safety.
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4. DEFINITIONS

Obese - a Body Mass index of 0ver 30;
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For women, a waist size over 35 inches (88 centimetres) is indicative of obesity;
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For men, a waist size over 40 inches (102 centimetres) is indicative of obesity.
5. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
5.1
Trust Board and Chief Executive general responsibilities:
 to provide support and influence to ensure that PHT adopts this policy and to encourage a
culture of health and well being within the workplace.
5.2
Directorate Management responsibilities:
 to ensure that any existing risk is assessed and elevated risks associated with obesity are
managed. This will include risk assessments to ensure that equipment supplied is robust and
fit for the purpose. Management to support individuals who wish to make lifestyle changes to
promote their health & well being.
 to ensure that line managers follow the Trust’s Health Weight Healthy Lives policy and
provide guidance and support to line managers to complete this role.
 to influence the culture of the Trust as an employer to ensure that health & wellbeing is
embedded as a normal value within the organisation.
 to ensure discrimination does not occur because of an individual’s weight or appearance.
 to support the Healthy Weight Healthy Lives policy to enable the Trust to become a proactive
employer investing in staff health.
5.3
Line Managers responsibilities:
 to ensure all staff are aware of the Trust’s Healthy Weight Healthy Lives policy, providing
information on support to new and existing employees.
 to perform risk assessments where appropriate and identify and implement actions or controls
that are subsequently identified, refering to the Occupational Health Department, Manual
Handling & Ergonomics Dept or Health & Safety for advice.
 to assess all risks using the Trust’s Risk Assessment Policy for guidance and refer to the Risk
Department for advice when required.
 to refer to the Occupational Health Department, Manual Handling & Ergonomics Dept or
Health & Safety for advice when a risk is identified and the manager is unable to resolve this.
 to provide a support within the workplace and ensure they do not discriminate against
individuals who are obese. To act sensitively when discussing personal issues around weight
and wellbeing.
 To actively encourage physical activity using the widest definition of the term.
5.4
Dietetics and Occupational Health Department responsibilities: see section 6 (Process)
5.5
Individual Staff responsibilities:
 to be responsible for their own health and wellbeing.
 staff are encouraged to self refer to Occupational Health for advice & assessment.
 maintain a fit and active lifestyle.
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6. PROCESS
6.1
Measures to proactively manage obesity in all NHS workers:
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6.2
Pre-placement screening for employees, recording height & weight & BMI;
Educate new and existing staff about obesity and the possible health risks associated with
this along with steps they may take themselves to manage their own health & well being;
Use a multidisciplinary approach to support healthy lifestyles;
Use of health education to support healthy lifestyles;
Support from Dietetics and Occupational Health Department to provide expert advice;
Support to access information for self help;
Risk assessment of the impact of obesity in relation to Health & Safety in the workplace;
Provide opportunities for staff to undertake activity and consume nutritionally balanced foods;
Provide and promote Oasis, the Trusts health and wellbeing centre.
Role of the Occupational Health Department and Health Promotion in the management of
obesity
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Perform pre-placement screening of obesity & effects in the workplace;
Provide information about support services offered (e.g. GP for advice and or treatments,
referral to specialist services or health promotion information);
Make appropriate referral to Oasis to encourage an active lifestyle;
Make appropriate referral to support services; when requested by the staff member;
Advise about support from GP;
Provision of health education literature;
Provide a pivotal role within the Trust on obesity and its effects on health and wellbeing;
Provide education and support on healthy living through provision of literature, consultation
and needs assessment, staff benefits scheme, provision of facilities.
Engage with and follow guidance from the Government responsibility deal on Public Health
Responsibility Deal Physical Activity
7. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
7.1
Information contained within this policy will be made available to employees at pre-placement
and new starter health assessments, general staff inductions, junior doctor inductions and
through health promotion activities.
8. REFERENCES AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTATION

Obesity guidance on the prevention, identification, assessment and management of
overweight and obesity in adults and children: NICE, December 2006. www.nice.org.uk/

Think fit think well: British heart foundation, 2008. www.bhactive.org.uk
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Think fit: British heart foundation, August 2005. www.bhforg.uk
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http://www.weightconcern.org.uk/
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www.bdaweightwise.com/
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http://change4life.icnetwork.co.uk/
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http://responsibilitydeal.dh.gov.uk/
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9. MONITORING COMPLIANCE WITH, AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF, PROCEDURAL
DOCUMENTS
9.1
Compliance with correct management referrals will be monitored by the Occupational Health
Department to ensure managers refer appropriately. Due to the sensitive nature of weight
issues any concerns will be raised with the manager on a one to one basis.
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