10 December 2019

More than 100 staff from the Whanganui District Health Board will be striding out in the 3 Bridges Marathon event on Saturday.

The runners and walkers come from all parts of Whanganui’s biggest employer, with radiologists, pharmacists, accountants, management, paediatricians, surgical and medical staff, mental health workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and public health promoters all signing up.

It is the first time the DHB has got involved with the 3 Bridges and it is part of the organisation’s WorkWell programme.

WorkWell is a nationwide initiative designed to help workplaces conduct their everyday business in a way that leads to improved staff wellbeing. This, in turn, allows a staff member to flourish and achieve their full potential for the benefit of themselves and their organisation.

An active lifestyle and physical exercise is part of the DHB’s holistic approach to staff wellbeing and so the 3 Bridges fits in perfectly, spokesman Mark Dawson said.

This year Whanganui DHB achieved bronze accreditation for WorkWell, and it is promoting the programme to other businesses and organisations in the region.

The mass participation on Saturday also represents the DHB’s vision of “Thriving Communities” and its commitment to work more closely with the community in a partnership that is less focussed on the hospital and more on keeping people well in their own homes.