caring Communication

You
Section
Operation Transformation
your CHALLENGE
is accepted
he Operation Transformation
team threw down the challenge
to people across the country to
T
join them in transforming our
lifestyles and our waistlines.
And HSE staff nationwide showed that they
were more than up to the task.
As part of the Healthy Ireland Physical Activity
Challenge, the HSE encouraged healthcare
staff to avail of the opportunity to get
involved across workplaces.
Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, National Director,
Health and Wellbeing, was full of praise for
the effort put in by HSE staff across the
country.
“To date over 4000 staff checked out the
information on the HSE website. 1200 groups
across the country have registered and many
HSE staff and champions are participating.
Over 1000 people took part in a recent national
walking day including with HSE staff in
Mayo, Galway, Cork, Mullingar, Waterford and
Dublin,” said Stephanie.
People were urged to get a group of workmates
together, become a leader/champion,
agree some activities on http://www.hse.ie/
physicalactivitychallenge, and register your
group on the Operation Transformation web
site. Groups could be of any size – from two
workmates up.
The response was phenomenal and you
couldn’t miss the array of OT posters around
the canteens, offices and staff rooms advertising
the events to get HSE staff moving.
Walks and runs were organised by groups at
lunchtimes, fitness classes were put on and
staff did their best to swap bad eating habits
for good, ditching the crisps and chocolate for
good.
Many people stepped up and volunteered
to become a Workplace Champion and lead a
HSE Operation Transformation group. Every
group needs people that will keep them motivated
and that is what these champions have
provided in the last few weeks, from supporting
everyone’s efforts throughout the programme,
mapping and promoting walking or
jogging routes in the workplace or close by, to
promoting smarter travel options for staff by
highlighting safe places to park your bike and
encouraging people to get off the bus a few
stops early and walk the rest of the way.
The new Get Ireland Active website has a
sitting calculator, where you can estimate
just how many hours a day you are sedentary,
prompting people to ditch the chairs as much
as possible. You may have even spotted many
of the new ‘walk and talk’ meetings that have
been taking place. Even standing for part of
a meeting can make a big difference to your
health and fitness. Why not give it a go?
The HSE are also taking part in the Million
Pound Challenge, in conjunction with Operation
Transformation, challenging everyone
to get moving and loose a million pounds.
Healthy Ireland vending machines are now
in place in workplaces around the country,
helping you to make informed decisions about
your snack choices.
Operation Transformation is supported by
Healthy Ireland - Department of Health, Safefood,
Sport Ireland and the HSE.
12 | health matters | spring 2016