Healthy working lives award for West Lothian

The West Lothian Community Health and Care Partnership (CHCP) have been praised after securing a Bronze Healthy Working Lives award.

The CHCP was recognised for offering health choices for staff, not just making healthy food available, but also providing initiatives that promote wellbeing.

The Healthy Working Lives award programme provides a framework for supporting staff health and well being.

Gill Cottrell, Chief Nurse, West Lothian CHCP, said: "It's important we show we are taking the welfare of staff seriously.

"We have a number of initiatives in place which include walking clubs, stop smoking support and health screening. There is also a healthy eating initiative providing low cost fruit at various locations throughout West Lothian.

"Workplaces have a key role to play in improving our health and quality of life."

The Healthy Working Lives Award has three levels ? Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each organisation starts in pursuit of Bronze and can choose to advance through the award stages or remain at one particular level.

"We are now working towards the Silver award and I am confident it won't be long until we achieve it,"added Gill Cottrell.

Ellen Glass, executive councillor for health and care said: "This is a great achievement; the wellbeing of our staff is the key to creating a much healthier and more motivated workforce."