Care home staff in Wolverhampton are being given additional support to carry out their vital role thanks to a new occupational health service.

The City of Wolverhampton Council has commissioned the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust to develop and implement the service, which will be available to around 2,700 permanent staff across the 70 care settings in Wolverhampton.

It aims to ensure staff receive the support they need to fulfil their work functions by managing and responding to risks they encounter, whether these are emotional or physical. 

Councillor Linda Leach, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: “Wolverhampton’s care workers do a fantastic job for some of our city’s most vulnerable people, and it’s important that we do all we can to support them in this incredibly important role.

“We are pleased to have commissioned the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust to deliver this new service, promoting, protecting and maintaining the health, safety and welfare of care staff.

“I would encourage all employers to make their staff aware of this new service by promoting it to their workforce through their usual channels.”

Priyanka Nar, Occupational Health and Wellbeing Manager for the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: “The RWT Occupational Health and Wellbeing Department is delighted to be working with the City of Wolverhampton Council to provide this service to Wolverhampton care home staff. 

“The Occupational Health Service will be accepting supportive management referrals for both employers and employees.”

The service, which launched last month, provides a range of health and wellbeing support, including emotional and psychological support, self care resources and access for all staff to wellbeing support service Project5. It also advises on the provision of safe and healthy working environments and the rehabilitation of staff members incapacitated by illness or injury.