Role of the built environment in enhancing the self-esteem of the workforce

The quality of primary and social care premises has an impact on staff morale and well being.

As well as providing a pleasant working environment, the workplace must satisfy the safety and security needs of staff. It should be conveniently located for transport purposes.

Primary care is being provided in a range of community-based settings. Healthcare assistants are taking on routine nursing work, nurses are taking on basic primary care work and doctors are focusing on the needs of patients with more complex conditions.

Recruitment and retention of all levels of staff is paramount. An enhanced built environment can make a major contribution to staff comfort and well being. CABE has produced a useful document on the role of hospital design in the recruitment, retention and performance of nurses. Some of the findings will apply equally to primary care premises. (See weblink for details.) The workplace must be suitable for all employees including staff with disabilities. The personal safety and security of staff is a concern. The built environment should be calming to reduce the incidence of aggression, while giving staff sufficient security through devices such as wide reception desks and easily accessible panic buttons and alarms. All staff must be protected from occupational injury with the provision of ergonomic workstations and attention to any manual handling issues. Access and location should take account of staff transport. Green healthy transport plans advocate facilities for cyclists including safe storage for bikes and showering and changing facilities.