A STAFF choir, zumba classes and trips to the races are among initiatives in place at the Royal Bolton Hospital to keep staff sickness levels down.

The top boss of NHS England yesterday announced a £5 million funding pot to cut sickness rates — which cost £24 billion a year across the country — but health chiefs in Bolton say they are already ahead of the game.

Weight loss classes, a subsidised staff gym, yoga and drop-in counselling services are also on offer at the Royal Bolton.

The cost of sickness absence to the Bolton NHS Foundation Trust from July 2014 - June 2015 was an estimated £11.2m per year which includes the cost of paying staff while sick and their replacements. The Trust's sickness absence rates, including doctors, was 4.77 per cent — a drop on the previous 12 months which was 5.14 per cent.

Simon Stevens, NHS England's chief executive, said: "NHS staff have some of the most critical but demanding jobs in the country. When it comes to supporting the health of our own workforce, frankly the NHS needs to put its own house in order."

Mr Stevens said NHS organisations must serve healthier food, promote exercise, reduce stress and provide regular health checks.

The checks will focus on mental health and musculoskeletal problems — the two biggest causes of sickness absence across the NHS.

James Baker, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust acting head of human resources, said: "With most of these things we are covering our own costs. Some are subsidised but we are not spending significant amounts. We are investing some funds but the return is that our staff are more healthy and engaged and less likely to come down with ailments. We have found that our sickness levels have reduced as a result.

"Our sickness levels are getting better compared to other trusts. We are certainly moving in the right direction and we're pretty pleased with that."

The hospital says it has also had good feedback from staff with people saying they were now happier at work.

Hundreds of staff use the gym and the trust has also linked up with hospitals in Wigan and Preston to provide occupational health services.

Bosses are also looking at setting up mindfulness classes as part of a focus on mental health.

Stress is the hospital's number one reason for sickness and long term absence and so the trust has introduced a drop-in service where staff can talk to someone in confidence about issues at home or at work.

Mr Baker added: "This is about tackling issues before they become insurmountable. That's been very successful."

The hospital is also trying to improve staff wellbeing by providing healthy eating choices around the hospital 24 hours a day seven days a week.

Christina McAnea, Unison's head of health and chairwoman of the NHS Social Partnership Forum, said: "Addressing physical and mental health issues is important and a step in the right direction as it will help tackle some of the major causes of stress at work.

"NHS staff experience some of the highest levels of stress and violence in the country and this can no longer be tolerated."

Duncan Selbie, chief executive of Public Health England, said: "The positive steps the NHS is taking to systematically improve the health and wellbeing of its workforce, including better access to occupational health, encouraging more physical activity and healthier food options, will have trickle-down benefits for the health and wellbeing of the wider population.

"The money saved on reducing staff sickness can be spent on services for the public and the healthier habits picked up by public sector employees can be passed on to the people they serve."

Healthy food options will be promoted in all restaurants, cafes and vending machines following meetings between NHS England and catering contractors.

Catering firms will be urged to publish nutritional information and keep to "appropriate" portion sizes.

Organisations will establish and promote exercise programmes, such as local yoga or Zumba classes, team sports and discounts on buying bikes for cycling to work.