The Specialist Mental Health & Learning Disability Services at NHS Grampian has been making significant strides in improving staff governance and well-being. Through our monthly Staff Partnership Forum, co-chaired by the Lead for Service and Staff Partnership Representation, we have established a robust partnership structure that encourages staff participation in various leadership and service meetings.

The team's commitment to staff well-being is evident in our initiatives. We have developed a Staff Support Hub, providing a space for reflection and quiet time post-incident. The  Gym has been made accessible to staff when not in use / after hours and has seen 58 employees complete induction, with more waiting to join. The introduction of e-Bikes at their CAMHS site, with plans to expand to RCH, further promotes staff well-being.

Our efforts are yielding positive results. The iMatter survey, which measures staff experience linked to the Staff Governance Standard, showed an increase in response rate from 82% in 2022 to 83% in 2023, with the Employee Engagement Index rising from 79 to 83.

The service is also focusing on continuous improvement and learning. Adverse Event Learning events have been introduced, which are CPD credited and open to all staff. These sessions have been well-attended and promote shared learning and commitment to improvement.

Looking ahead, the service is planning to relaunch Safety Theme Walkrounds, progress with upcoming Safe Staffing Legislation, and pilot a Staff Well Being Champions program. We are also participating in national initiatives and networks, demonstrating our commitment to excellence in mental health and learning disability services.

Despite these successes, the service faces challenges due to current financial pressures, highlighting the need for ongoing support and innovation in staff governance.