The high level of staff absence within the NHS is currently under the microscope as government and managers try to see what they can do to reduce the number of days staff have off sick each year, which costs the NHS millions.

The average NHS staff member has up to 10.7 working days off sick every year with a high incidence of absence through stress and physical problems such as back injuries being reported.  This level of staff absenteeism can have a negative effect on patient care with theatre lists and clinic sessions having to be cancelled due to low staffing levels.

Many staff claim they do not have sufficient time during breaks to eat healthily and often grab crisps and chocolate just to keep them going instead of going to the canteen to get a meal or a sandwich.

A new report has come up with a series of guidelines to try and improve the health of NHS staff which includes access to counselling to deal with worries caused by stress, regular health check ups and advice on healthier eating and ways to fit more exercise into the working day.

Ideas that have been given include walking up the stairs instead of taking the lift and parking the car at the back of the staff car park and walking.

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At Home Fitness Equipment – A look at different types of exercise equipment.

Posted by: At Home Workout Reviews

Fitness Levels Of NHS Staff Studied

It looks like parents are getting it wrong when they say how much exercise their kids are getting, according to a report by the British Heart Foundation.  Approximately 70% of the parents questioned believed that their kids were getting the recommended daily amount of exercise whereas, when the children were questioned, it appeared that only around 10% of them believed they were getting enough exercise, which is a worrying trend.

The BHF say parents need to stop fooling themselves and start taking action to prevent their kids becoming obese, and local councils have been urged to improve the quality of local sports facilities and put on more events to encourage children to exercise.  The incidence of obesity in children between 8 and 14 years has risen alarmingly since the 1990s according to a new report, and the Foundation claims that urgent action needs to be taken to prevent a generation of Couch Kids (as they are called) growing up and becoming obese adults.

Recommendations include standardised guidelines on how much exercise children should be getting, and urges schools to increase the opportunities for physical activities on a daily basis, such as games lessons on more days of the week.  At home, parents are encouraged to bring back more of the traditional activities with their families such as going for a walk together or going to the park to play football instead of sitting together in front of the TV or computer.  The Department of Health has backed these calls by stating that dealing with obesity in childhood is a major government priority.

Other posts of interest:

Home Fitness Equipment – What’s available and what works?

Ab Exercise Equipment – What you need to know if you don’t want to be ripped off.

Posted by: At Home Workout Reviews

Are You Wrong About Your Childs Fitness Level?