NHS Ayrshire and Arran: A Wellbeing App That Puts Support in Staff Hands
Information and signposting to support services for wellbeing
In response to the unique pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic, NHS Ayrshire and Arran developed a bespoke Staff Wellbeing App, a digital tool designed to give health and social care staff easy access to wellbeing resources, wherever and whenever they need them. The app has become a vital part of the organisation’s commitment to supporting staff health and resilience.
A digital hub for holistic wellbeing
The app was built from the ground up during the pandemic, with teams working remotely to create a comprehensive resource. It offers a wide range of support across five key areas:
- Staff Support: Contact details for services including staff care, psychology, peer support, occupational health, and the Better Health Hub.
- Healthy Mind: Mental wellbeing resources and self-help strategies.
- Healthy Living: Guidance on physical activity, sleep, nutrition, and smoking cessation.
- Health Matters: A rotating spotlight on different health topics.
- Financial Matters: Information on money management, travel discounts, and links to the Cost of Living Portal.
Meeting staff where they are
The app is accessible 24/7, making it especially valuable for staff who work shifts or have limited digital access during the day. It also signposts to other trusted apps and resources, helping staff find the right support at the right time.
Despite the challenges of remote development and securing funding, the app has been a success. In its first year, it saw:
- Over 970 individual downloads
- More than 95,000 interactions
Positive outcomes for staff and services
For staff: The app provides a sense of connection and support, helping staff maintain their wellbeing and access help when they need it most.
For patients: Research shows that staff who feel well and supported deliver better care—improving patient outcomes and experiences.
For the organisation: The app is a key part of NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s broader wellbeing strategy, available to all staff across all roles.
Advice for others
NHS Ayrshire and Arran offers these tips for organisations considering a similar approach:
- Define the key wellbeing areas you want to cover early on.
- Involve a wide range of colleagues to ensure the app meets diverse needs.
- Allocate dedicated time and resource to keep the content current and relevant.
How does this align with the Leadership Success Profile?
Working together, to build trust, move beyond traditional boundaries, share information, and provide a joined-up and person-centered user experience.
This initiative aligns beautifully with the “Empowering Systems” cluster of the Leadership Success Profile, particularly under the “Forging Trust and Collaboration” dimension. This is because the app’s development involved cross-team collaboration and ongoing engagement to ensure relevance and sustainability.
The Scottish Government has published Improving Wellbeing and Working Cultures (IWWC), which sets out a vision to support and enhance local cultures across our health, social care and social work organisations through programmes of work at a national level that focus on the three pillars of wellbeing, leadership and equality. You can find out more about IWWC by reading this blog by Dr Elizabeth Kelly.
