Description

The aromatherapy pilot scheme was carried out by an occupational health nurse qualified in aromatherapy massage.  An aromatherapy staff pilot scheme was launched on a part-time basis for approxiamtely one year.
Nursing staff within Braid Valley Hospital were identified as a suitable target group.  All staff (nursing) were invited to apply for up to four free complimentary therapy treatments.  Individuals with health problems were prioritised initailly.  A treatment room was identified with the Occupations Health Department at the Braid Valley.

Organisation

United Hospitals Health and Social Services Trust
Willow House Antrim Area Hospital Antrim
Antrim
BT41 2RL

Contact details

Maria Loughran
Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner

Tel: 028 94424401

Project areas

• Promoting a healthy workplace

Project target

• Staff

Timeframe

Date start: 01 April 2003
Date finish: 01 February 2004

Project ongoing: No, the project has concluded.

Objectives

1. To set up a complimentary therapy staff in-house service (pilot scheme)

2. To look at practicalities of providing such a service

3. To identify an appropriate pilto group

4. Pilot group identified within a smaller hospital site within the United Hospitals Trust

5. To evaluate benefit of aromatherapy treatments for general health issues

6. Staff applying for treatment sessions were prioritised according to identified health issues such as stress and muscle or skeletal problems.

7. All nursing staff within choosen hospital sites were identified and sent an application form and details about the scheme.

8. When application forms were returned they were prioritised (ie if health issues iddentified), individuals were then contacted and offered a series of appointments.

9. Individuals upon completion of treatments were given an evaluation form to complete.

Outcomes

Planned

To launch an initiative which would contribute to staff health and wellbeing.

To explore the option of providing a complimentary therapy service for staff

To assess the practicalities of providing an in-house complimentary therapy service

Actual

Generally a positive response from all participants.

However operational difficulties were highlighted during the pilot scheme

All participants indicated that the scheme/treatments contributed to their general health and wellbeing.

Key learning

Outcomes

To date no further developments in relation to this project.  However the Occupational Health Department and the NHSCT organisation continue to see the health and wellbeing of all employees as a priority.  For the past number of years the Trust has held an annual health and wellbeing roadshows across five local hospital sites within the Trust.  the Roadshows have addressed many key health issues through providing a practical hands on approach and providing a wide range of expertise and advice, guidance and information to staff.

Just this year we hosted a series of successful Men's Health events.  We wrote individually to all male employees, providing each of them with a specially designed Men's Health information leaflet.  We then invited them to attend a health check at a venue near their workplace where they were offered blood pressure screening, smoking cessation advice, BMI measurements, dietary advice and alcohol advice.

The events were very well attended and evaluations were very positive.

Actual

Not available

Project evaluation

Has the project been evaluated: Yes, the project has been evaluated.

Is an evaluation report available: No, an evaluation report is not available.

Project enhancements

Not available

Project gains

Not available

Project developments

Not available