Background Over the last two years the Inpatient Unit (IPU) has seen a significant change in leadership and nursing staff. It was recognised that there was a need to encourage willingness to accept change and promote teamwork. Research by Maben et al (2012) shows that patient experiences are generally better when staff feel they have a good team climate, colleague support, as well as job satisfaction and a positive organisational culture. As a result of this it was decided that team-building workshops would be held.

Aims

• Act as a forum for individuals and teams to reflect on their own behaviour

• Help to produce a supportive culture where bullying and harassment are unlikely to occur

• Encourage positive behaviour

• Discourage negative behaviour

• Increase understanding of behaviour that may be perceived to be bullying or harassment whether intended or not

• Increase acceptance of strategies that might be used to retrieve a problem situation.

Method Four workshops were held. IPU staff were invited to the workshops which were structured around the RCN Toolkit ‘Healthy Workplace, Healthy You’ (2015). This includes self-assessment forms where participants can reflect on their behaviour and attitudes. Participants then completed a team assessment form in which they reflect on the attitudes, behaviours and culture within the team.

Results An action plan was devised as a group to address identified issues. The toolkit provides a measurable outcome of how staff are feeling which will be repeated at future dates to give demonstrable progress.

Conclusions

• Feedback has been positive. Staff voiced that the workshops provided a calm and supportive forum to discuss any issues within the team

• Staff had the opportunity to reflect on positives within the team

• An action plan was agreed and will be reviewed regularly as well as at the next full ‘Team Away’ Day.