Doctor urges better health among NHS staff

LONDON, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- A doctor said Britain's National Health Service needs to focus on improving the health of its staff members in areas such as smoking and obesity.

Dr. Steven Boorman said in a new report with NHS staff sickness rates surpassing those of the private sector and parts of the public sector, the health service should attempt to promote better patient care through improved staff wellness, The Daily Telegraph said Monday.

Boorman suggests the British healthcare system use individual trusts to attempt to limit obesity and smoking among NHS staff members.

The doctor also urges the service to improve the quality of its food in staff cafeterias and ban staff members from smoking in the public view.

British Health Secretary Andy Burnham said the health service is committed to improving the health of its workers as well as the general public, the Telegraph reported.

"The purpose of the NHS is to improve the health and well-being of the general public," Burnham said. "We cannot be serious about this if we are not committed to improving the health of those that care for our population."

"We want to see the NHS become an exemplar for other organizations to follow, valuing its employees as it values its patients."