Case Studies
Wirral University Teaching Hospital Getting Staff Fitter
With one year to go to London 2012 Wirral University Teaching Hospital’s Clatterbridge site in Bebington was transformed into an indoor and outdoor activity centre for the first ever Treating Yourself Well Day for staff and their families on Sunday (July 24), which was filmed by BBC’s North West Tonight programme.
This fun event launched the Trust’s pioneering Fitter for HealthTM campaign. The campaign aims to support and encourage at least 2,012 members of hospital staff to take part in a regular sport or physical activity by the start of London 2012.
About 300 adults and children attended the event, opened by actress and comedian Pauline Daniels. They all participated in a wide range of sports and leisure activities against the background of energetic music provided by Wirral’s 7 Waves Community Radio.
Empty car parks and lawns were transformed into areas for Kangoo, Zumba dancing, golf, cricket, netball, basketball, tennis and football. Inside the hospital’s Post Graduate Centre and physiotherapy and stroke rehabilitation gyms ran demonstrations and try out sessions for Wii Fit, yoga, karate, mini squash and table tennis. Also there were displays of rounders, hockey, softball and sailing, running, badminton and triathlons. There was even a Story Cafe, showcasing story telling as an aid to good mental health.
The hospital’s Fir Trees restaurant provided refreshments including its award winning Nourish healthy eating programme and made space for Trixter exercise bikes with built in video screens, an interactive dance floor and advice on smoking cessation, smoke free homes, lifestyle and weight management.
A highlight of the day was the opening by Pauline of a 2,012 metre waymarked track,that will remain as a legacy of the event. More than 100 members of staff and their families ran, jogged, walked and pushed prams round the track in an inaugural race won in just over seven and a half minutes by Matt Williams, a volunteer with Advocacy in Wirral (AIW.) Matt, who was promoting AIW’s APEX physical exercise for good mental health programme, was one of 30 exhibitors from local clubs, organisations, leisure centres and national governing bodies of sport who gave up their time to make the event such a success.
Richard Dutton, a Non Executive Director of the Trust and Chair of the Fitter for HealthTM Steering Group was enthusiastic about the success of the day:
“I should like thank to my thank… our staff who have worked so hard to make this innovative event happen and also to the clubs, organisations and national governing bodies who supported it…..Judging by the smiles on the faces of staff who came to enjoy a day of fun and exercise with their families, it was a terrific succes .”
For more information about the Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust’s Fitter For Health tm initiative please contact Maria Parker on 01516047640