Emotional wellbeing

in the NHS explained

Emotional wellbeing is an individual’s ability to
manage and recover from the high levels of
challenging situations and pressures they face at
work on a day–to–day basis in order to feel happy,
satisfied and proud about their experiences at
work.
These positive emotions associated with being able
to manage and recover from difficult situations
support NHS staff in feeling energised, capable
and motivated enough to deliver consistently
high–quality care.
Why is it important?
On a good day, you feel motivated, energised and
confident that you can positively face any challenge
that is thrown at you.
On a good day, your colleagues benefit because
you are helpful and supportive, proactive and
‘on the ball’.
On a good day, your patients benefit as your
approach and attitude focuses on their needs
and you can find the energy to go the extra mile
to make sure the care you provide makes a
difference to their wellbeing.
Emotional health has an impact on the level of
care our patients receive. Research by wellbeing
company Robertson Cooper showed that NHS
staff directly relate how they feel to how
effectively they work with colleagues, and the
quality of care patients receive.

NHS staff reflected that they normally felt one of three ways:

On the edge – when the pressure we face exceeds our ability to cope, we feel
overwhelmed and out of control. We will find it hard to think through problems, often
making rushed decisions and losing our patience. Our patients are likely to think we
are terse or even see us as out of control, they may be reluctant to ask for help if they
can see we are overwhelmed. Mistakes are more likely to be made, or things can be
missed, when we are in this mode.

On a good day – our motivation and energy feels easy to find. We are interested
in what we are doing and have confidence we can cope with whatever gets thrown at
us. Patients feel cared for, they view us as responsive and in control. They feel sure
we are focused on, and meeting, their needs.

On a go slow – when we feel disengaged, we find it hard to build the energy to

fulfil our responsibilities, patients are more likely to see us as uninterested and
uncaring. We are slow to respond and may leave things undone as we can’t find
the energy or motivation to make them happen.

The findings and themes presented here are based on a research project conducted by Robertson Cooper which included a review of
wellbeing survey data from NHS employees, input through roundtable discussions with NHS OD and HR leaders and staff feedback
around what drives their own emotional wellbeing through focus groups with over 100 clinical and support staff.
Focusing on your emotional health will allow you
to recognise and take action when you are having
more bad days than good. It will help you find the
strategies and resources you need to overcome
challenges that can make it hard to get to a place
where we can find the energy to really excel at
meeting patients’ needs.
If you are having more bad days than good or you
can see a colleague who seems to be in that place,
you can make a difference. This resource is
designed to help you think about what is causing
this and support you to have a conversation with
others to start the process of resolving the
situation.
How do we talk about and take action
around emotional health in the NHS?
NHS staff have chosen a career that often presents
difficult, emotive situations. It brings highs and
lows when care is provided for people who may
need physical treatment, ongoing support,
guidance and an environment that supports their
wellbeing.
It is a big responsibility and a challenging
environment which increases the pressure
staff face.
A view that the
level of pressure
you face is fair
and reasonable
This resource will help you to consider your and
others’ emotional health, the extent to which these
three things are impacting on how you or others’
feel on a day-to-day basis and whether this is
impacting on the quality of care that you can deliver.
The findings and themes presented here are based on a research project conducted
by Robertson Cooper which included a review of wellbeing survey data from NHS
employees, input through roundtable discussions with NHS OD and HR leaders
and staff feedback around what drives their own emotional wellbeing through
focus groups with over 100 clinical and support staff.
© NHS Confederation 2015
Our emotional health affects our wellbeing and
general health and it also impacts on how our
colleagues and patients feel too. Taking a
proactive approach to both our own and our
colleagues’ emotional health helps to create an
environment that encourages us to feel happy
and healthy at work. It also helps us to cope with
the challenges and provide high-quality care.
So what is emotional health?
Emotional health is not about consistently
experiencing positive emotions. It’s the ability to
understand and manage emotional reactions to
things. When we are in a positive emotional state,
we find it easier to be energised and motivated
at work and are able to adjust to and deal with
setbacks or pressure. In short, it is about having
more good days than bad, but also being able to
recover from the bad days when they happen.
So how do you influence your or
others’ emotional health?
There are three areas that seem to have the
biggest impact as potential barriers and enablers
of positive emotional wellbeing for NHS staff.
A belief that you are The presence of
able to make the supportive
difference to the things relationships with
that matter to you colleagues
We will also give advice on how to start a
conversation with others to take proactive steps in
having more good days than bad, plus tips on how
to start thinking about ways to make a change.