Staff at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust can now benefit from two sleep pods.
The pods are designed specifically for twenty-minute power naps, and come with a hooded privacy visor and the option to play pre-programmed music or a relaxation guide.
Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles said: “Team ESTH always work hard to provide the best care to our patients, but the effort and determination they have shown through COVID-19 has been phenomenal. If anyone deserves to put their feet up for 20 minutes and make the most of a lunch break, it’s our staff!”
“Evidence shows that for most people, a short 15 to 20-minute nap can help to reduce the impact of tiredness on people’s ability to function and can improve performance. But more importantly than that, being able to take a moment to relax and recuperate will be a real boost for the health and wellbeing of our staff, which in turn, has a positive effect on patient care and experience”.
Dr Shakil Rahman, Lead Respiratory Consultant at the Trust, said: ‘I’ve tried the sleep pod and I can’t believe – even for a poor sleeper like me – how refreshed I feel. I will definitely be using it again and encouraging everyone to try some power naps, especially the junior doctors who work and study incredibly hard. I’ve been so proud of how the respiratory team and all my ESTH colleagues have faced the immense challenges of this pandemic, and I truly think their health and wellbeing has never been so important.”
The sleep pods have been loaned to Epsom and St Helier Hospitals Charity by the company Restworks for a free two-month trial.
