Patients at UHSM can feel safer this winter, because the Trust has achieved the highest flu vaccination rates among NHS staff for Greater Manchester - and the third best nationally - according to new Government figures.
Flu jabs are not compulsory among NHS staff but are still an important part of patient care, preventing flu from spreading to colleagues, family members and vulnerable patients - for whom flu can be fatal.
The Department of Health's WinterWatch report says that 82 per cent of UHSM’s front-line staff have been vaccinated, compared to the national average of 43 per cent. Staff and managers at the Trust have worked hard to increase colleagues' interest in being vaccinated, and made it easier for them to get a jab by holding drop in-sessions, pop-up clinics, and late/early sessions for night staff.
This success was helped by the first ever national NHS staff flu campaign run by the NHS Employers organisation, which provided posters, magazines, extensive information and more to trusts throughout England. Its focus is on 'busting myths' about flu vaccinations and helping make it easier for staff to get a jab conveniently.
Dean Royles, Director of the NHS Employers organisation, says: "This is really good news for the patients at UHSM. NHS Staff recognise the importance of vaccination to protect patients, there families and themselves and staff here have responded really well to the campaign, getting their jabs and doing the utmost to prevent any flu from taking hold. This is so important because flu can be fatal to vulnerable patients.
"It is great to see so many front-line healthcare workers doing the right thing, showing that UHSM has a passion for patient care that people can be proud of."
The national average of 43 per cent is an increase from 26 per cent at the same time last year. At the end of winter 2010/11. a total of 34.7 per cent of front-line staff had been vaccinated.
The NHS Employers organisation is running the national campaign on behalf of the Social Partnership Forum, bringing together NHS employers, trade unions and the Department of Health.
More information is available at www.nhsemployers.org/flu and also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/nhsflufighter) and Twitter (@nhsflufighter).