Spotlight on Health and Wellbeing: Jill McGee

12th May 2022

 

Our Growing Occupational Health and Wellbeing team is working with NHS Trusts around the region to pilot an integrated occupational health and wellbeing service, designed to create a culture of wellness within the trusts.

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re shining a spotlight on the amazing occupational health and wellbeing staff the team is working with.

Here, we caught up with Jill McGee, Staff Psychological Wellbeing Advisor at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, to find out more about her work and get her top health and wellbeing tips.

 

Tell us a bit about yourself and your background.

My name is Jill, I have worked in the NHS for 30 years and I am a nurse by background. I first became involved in the wellbeing agenda for staff 9 years ago as part of my original role in Occupational Health supporting staff with long term health conditions. I am passionate about staff wellbeing and ensuring staff have a toolkit to maintain and enhance their own wellness.

Outside of work I love the outdoors, walking, gardening and animals and I’m a bit of a crazy cat lady.

 

What does your role involve?

My current role as Staff Psychological Wellbeing Advisor involves supporting staff who are at work and are experiencing difficulties to remain at work and also to help those who are struggling to return to work with support following a period of sickness.

I work closely with all the multi-disciplinary team in Occupational Health. As part of my role I help to co –ordinate the health and wellbeing agenda of the staff.

 

Why is health and wellbeing so important in the workplace?

Health and Wellbeing in the workplace is important. If the staff are well and happy at work this results in better employee morale and engagement and as a result we have healthier and more inclusive culture. If the staff’s wellbeing is good, our patients receive the best care possible at all times with fewer incidents and there is less staff sickness and turnover of staff.

 

What are your top health/wellbeing tips for people generally?

  • Always look after yourself as a priority (as on an aeroplane you need to put your own oxygen mask on first before being able to help others).
  • Eat a well-balanced diet.
  • Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate.
  • Rest and Recharge.
  • Take your breaks and annual leave as planned and always try to leave work on time and then switch off and rest.
  • Be kind to yourself and have some ME time every day.
  • Set boundaries when not at work – don’t send emails 10pm at night.
  • Switch off technology / social media after work.