Bolton NHS Foundation Trust is in the running to win a patient safety award.

The trust has been shortlisted for the Staff Wellbeing Initiative of the Year in the HSJ Patient Safety Awards for launching a scheme that aims to reduce staff fatigue.

A group of staff from across the organisation came together to create and implement a fatigue working group called "All Heroes Need Sleep".

The working group at Royal Bolton Hospital focused on education, culture and facilities to enhance staff knowledge, awareness and to embed the principles and importance of rest.

Hannah Baird, doctor at Bolton’s emergency department, said: “Education has been a cornerstone of the initiative, aimed at enhancing staff knowledge and awareness of fatigue-related risks.

“A particular focus has been working with staff to judge their tiredness after a shift, and it is essential we have places where they can go for adequate rest before safely making their way home.

“Being able to get appropriate rest during a shift is also essential for both staff wellbeing and productivity, particularly in areas of high demand such as critical care and the emergency department.”

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The campaign includes the creation of a dedicated staff intranet page, serving as a hub for sleep facts, resources, and information on fatigue management.

Every junior doctor who joins the organisation is provided with the information they need at their induction, and work is underway to embed it in the trust-wide induction for all new members of staff.

With the help of Our Bolton NHS Charity, recliner chairs have been rolled out to enable staff across the hospital site to take time away from their work.

Sarah Skinner, charity manager at Our Bolton NHS Charity, said: “We’re delighted that the All Heroes Need Sleep campaign has been shortlisted in the HSJ Patient Safety Awards and proud to support Bolton NHS Foundation Trust in its ambition to be a great place to work.

“Many of our supporters donate to Our Bolton NHS Charity because of the care and compassion they received from NHS colleagues during times of uncertainty or despair.

“When we mirror that kindness by supporting staff wellbeing initiatives like the All Heroes Need Sleep campaign, we’re ensuring NHS staff are at their best to care for patients, service users and their families.”

The HSJ Patient Safety Awards help to drive improvements in culture and quality across the NHS and will be holding the ceremony in Manchester on Monday, September 16.

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