S. Elliott, S. Phillips, J. Blower, Transport for London, UK

Background

Wellbeing checks are offered to employees, coupled with organisational health and wellbeing initiatives. Demonstrating the effectiveness of such initiatives is required if continued organisational support is to be maintained.

Aim

To develop an evidenced based model addressing workplace health and wellbeing priorities which can be implemented at TfL.

Method

Three phased, 18-month pilot project conducted at a TfL depot, utilising a mixed methods approach. Phase 1, data collection and analysis. Wellbeing check offered (BMI, lipid profile, glucose analysis, QRisk3 assessment, blood pressure) with individualised advice, followed up at three months. Check repeated at six months. Questionnaire survey exploring subjective wellbeing and lifestyle factors. Phase 2 and 3 identifies health and wellbeing priorities and analyses the effectiveness of interventions.

Results

Phase 1. Wellbeing checks 104 participants. Questionnaire survey 119 respondents. Physical health. Average BMI 28 with 80% classified as overweight /obese. 49% had a raised total cholesterol, 19% had ≥10% QRISK3 score and 29% were referred to their GP. For lifestyle factors influencing health, respondents scored lower compared to comparable data. But respondents scored positively higher than comparative data to the ONS questionnaire assessing personal wellbeing. The average score for perceived stress, was 5 out of 16. In terms of fatigue, average was 18 out of 50 and as an indicator of fatigue 24% of respondents had a score of ≥ 22.

Conclusion

Phase 1 has demonstrated the importance of assessing both physical and psychological wellbeing and has been successful in providing the data required to proceed to phase 2.