Monday 03 February 2020
New, greatly improved changing facilities for staff at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital are expected to support more staff to choose healthier ways of travelling to and from work.
A staff survey showed that around 10 per cent of employees use active modes of transport, such as walking, cycling or running, to get to the hospital site. 77 per cent of employees said they travelled alone in a private vehicle.
However, a greater number said they would consider switching to active means of travel if staff amenities at the hospital were improved.
The new staff changing facility which includes showers, an area for drying wet clothing and shift lockers, has now been opened for female employees of the hospital and the men's changing room will be refurbished over the coming months.
Jan Coleman, Hospital Modernisation Director said:
"As part of our travel strategy we've listened to feedback from employees and prioritised improvements to the changing facilities. We hope that this will not only respond to issues that staff have raised and thus aid employee retention, but also encourage more staff to consider travelling to work via a healthier mode of transport rather than continued car use."
Consultant Nurse Specialist Patricia McDermott, who swims before work then cycles to the hospital, said that better changing facilities would make a difference:
"The new facilities are a great improvement with plenty of lockers, lots of windows and extractor fans. They are light, airy and roomy and are inviting to use."
