WCVA’s Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Officer, Samantha Carpenter, takes a look at a new healthcare offer for WCVA staff and tells us why screenings are so important for everyone.
WCVA is a supporter of Hapus, a movement that promotes positive actions around mental wellbeing. You can find more about Hapus and how WCVA supports it, but we’re proud today to announce a brand new initiative linked to our support for the Hapus campaign.
HEALTH SCREENINGS
As of now, WCVA offers paid time off for staff to attend health screenings for themselves or their children. These screenings include:
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening
- Antenatal Screening Wales
- Bowel Screening Wales
- Breast Test Wales
- Cervical Screening Wales
- Diabetic Eye Screening Wales
- Newborn Bloodspot Screening Wales
- Newborn Hearing Screening Wales
And, in 2027, once the programme has been implemented, Lung Cancer Screening will also be included.
SCREENINGS CAN SAVE LIVES
Early detection of diseases at NHS screenings can save lives. Yet, according to NHS Wales, some people decline or delay screening appointments because they cannot secure time off work or cannot afford unpaid time off. By formally offering this benefit, WCVA can help remove that barrier, promote equitable access, and show a strong commitment to the wellbeing of our staff.
Doing this requires no particular financial outlay for WCVA beyond paid time for attendance and travel and could have a significant positive impact on health outcomes – particularly for staff in lower-paid roles where taking unpaid leave may be less feasible.
This offer also makes access to preventative healthcare more equitable for all staff. Particularly, it supports those from lower socio-economic backgrounds or on lower pay grades, for whom taking unpaid leave or using annual leave can be a barrier to attending NHS screenings.
A HEALTHIER WORKFORCE
For WCVA, this is also about building a healthier, more engaged workforce. When people are supported to look after their health, everyone benefits – colleagues, teams, and the wider organisation.
Ultimately, this is about giving our staff the time and space to look after their health and their families. We hope it makes a real difference.
MORE INFORMATION
To find out more about Hapus please visit their website, and to read more about WCVA’s involvement in the Hapus initiative, please visit our recent blog.
Read more about WCVA’s wider work on health and care in Wales.