The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust - Silver Award

What They Do:

The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest specialist orthopaedic units in Europe, offering planned orthopaedic surgery to people locally, nationally, and internationally. The Trust employs over 1500 members of staff, is an accredited Veteran Aware organisation and Disability Confident Leader, and is currently ranked 8^th in the 2024 UK Inclusive Top 50 Employers list.  It is small enough to maintain a family feel and is considered a specialist in bone and joint problems. 

How Thrive at Work has impacted the organisation:

The Trust has worked hard to create a supportive environment where staff feel valued, with leaders taking time to know employees personally and greet them by name. They have introduced strong support for menopause and perimenopause, alongside an extensive financial wellbeing offer. The financial wellbeing support helps staff manage the rising cost of living. This includes access to discounts, affordable food options, salary finance schemes, and emergency financial assistance.

The Trust has seen a positive shift in staff engagement, with employees now more willing to share their views and seek support when needed. This has contributed to a more open and supportive working culture. Staff networks, including those focused on menopause and equality, have played a key role in creating safe spaces for dialogue, helping staff feel heard and valued across all levels of the organisation.

Communication has also improved, with the Trust making effective use of their established wellbeing weeks. These events provide a platform to share key messages, raise awareness of support services, and encourage two-way conversations between staff and leadership. As a result, the Trust is better able to connect with employees, ensuring wellbeing remains a visible and central part of their workplace culture

Laura Tilley-Hood, Engagement and Wellbeing Officer said: This is a great achievement for ROH and was made possible by colleagues across the trust, who helped to support by providing evidence, completing the survey and attending interviews. We will be using the results and the report to highlight the positive impact some of our health and wellbeing initiatives have had.  We will also be looking at where there are any gaps and where we can make changes. We are able to use the report, along with other metrics, to help shape our Wellbeing Strategy. 
We are now looking at the next stage with Thrive at Work so we can continue to support colleagues with their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Award Date: April 2025