We more than double our flu fighters

More of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s staff than ever are protected against the devastating effects of flu after a record number of people had the jab.

Over 76% of employees at the community, mental health and learning disability Trust had the vaccine in 2016 compared to just 33% in 2015, making it the most improved Trust in Yorkshire and the Humber.

Putting on a large number of clinics across the Trust’s wide geography and having a network of ‘peer to peer’ staff vaccinators who could vaccinate their colleagues contributed to the increased uptake. A major internal communications campaign to encourage uptake also played a key role.

Alan Davis, director of HR, organisational development and estates at the Trust said: “Flu is a dangerous and unpleasant illness which can spread very quickly, particularly in environments such as hospitals where people can come into contact with a lot of others. By having the vaccine, our staff are helping to prevent the spread of flu and keeping their colleagues, people who use our services and their families safe.”