Our Benefits

When joining Team MWL you will be able to access a wide range of NHS benefits as well as MWL benefits tailored specifically for our staff.

We recognise that our staff are our most valuable asset and we provide a range of benefits to support them throughout their career, below are some of the benefits we offer you when you join #TeamMWL.

Additional information

• Health & Wellbeing

  

  Our onsite Health, Work & Wellbeing Team can provide free health assessments and lifestyle checks, access to physiotherapy and a dedicated Staff Support Services Team for confidential counselling, we also provide our staff with free flu vaccinations every winter.

  The Health and Wellbeing Team compromises of a Manager, Psychologist, Mental Health Nurses, Counsellors and Wellbeing Coordinator. Supporting us, we also have Health and Wellbeing Champions across the Trust as well as Mental Health First Aiders.

  There is an annual wellbeing calendar of events which target specific topics such as Mental Health, Menopause exercises to name a few.

  As the Trust provides a 24-hour service, workshops and seminars are regularly updated and posted on the Staff Engagement App.

  We believe that happy healthy staff equals happy healthy patients.

  Flexible working

  Supporting our staff to have a positive work-life balance is important to us. We offer a range of family-friendly benefits, to meet the needs of staff and services. Opportunities currently include:

  •  Generous maternity and paternity entitlements
  •  Part-time roles
  •  Job sharing
  •  Flexi-time
  •  Compressed hours
  •  Career breaks
  •  Home/agile working

  Annual Leave Entitlement

  Excluding bank holidays, new starters appointed under Agenda for Change will receive 27 days per annum. This rises to 29 days after five years’ service with the NHS and again to 33 days with 10 years NHS service.  

  For more information, please visit: https://www.nhsemployers.org/pay-pensions-and-reward/nhs-terms-and-conditions-of-service---agenda-for-change/nhs-terms-and-conditions-of-service-handbook/annual-leave-and-public-holidays-section-13

  NHS Pension Scheme

  The NHS offers an excellent pension package, fully protected against inflation and guaranteed by the government. When you start working with us, you will automatically become a member and will receive a comprehensive set of benefits.

  More information can also be found at:

  • NHS Pensions
  • NHS Employers Pension website

  Contact our Pensions Team via email: Pensions@sthk.nhs.uk.

• Travel and Parking

  

  Car Parks

  We have 6 staff car parks available on-site at Whiston Hospital, with a 1/3 discounted rate available at Delph Lane car park. There are also staff on-site parking available at St Helens and Newton hospitals.

  Shuttle Bus

  A free shuttle bus service is available for all staff travelling between Whiston & St Helens hospital sites.

  Cycle to Work scheme

  We offer a cycle to work scheme, where you can loan a bike and accessories from the Trust for an agreed length of time. The scheme works by exchanging a set amount of your salary each month, enabling you to make savings on income tax, national insurance and NHS pension contributions.

  For more information, click here: https://www.vivupbenefits.co.uk/. The Trust scheme number is 409.

  Car Lease Scheme

  We work in partnership with Fleet Solutions, who offer the leading salary sacrifice car lease scheme for NHS staff.

  For more information, click here: https://nhsfleetsolutions.co.uk/. The Trust scheme number is 409.

  Arriva Bus Scheme

  We have joined up with Arriva Bus to offer our staff savings on local Arriva bus travel.

  Follow the link to sign up for Arriva travel discounts: https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/business-travel/employer-travel-club/st-helens-and-knowsley-teaching-hospitals-nhs-trust

• NHS Staff Discounts

  

  As an NHS staff member, you’ll be entitled to discounts and money saving deals ranging from travel to insurance and many high street and online retailers.

  Special discounts on products and services are available by signing up for Health Service Discounts or by purchasing a Blue Light Card.

  Your Trust ID badge will also get you discounts at our on-site restaurant, local shops and selected retailers. Staff Discounts can be found in our Staff Intranet & Staff Engagement App.

• On-site facilities

  

  Library and Knowledge Service

  The Trust Library is based in Nightingale House, Whiston Hospital. Our library has relaxed seating areas for leisure reading, quite study areas, computers and additional study areas with sockets for personal devices. The library also includes printing and toilet facilities, a drink machine and a friendly and welcoming enquiry library staff.

  For more information, click here: https://www.knowledge-nw.nhs.uk/

  Multi-faith Prayer Room

  The Trust recognises the importance of spiritual needs just as much as physical needs, and our Spiritual Care Department is committed to caring for the spiritual, pastoral and religious needs of staff.

  Our multi-faith prayer room is available at both Whiston Hospital (Located at Level 1, Yellow Zone) and St Helens Hospital (Located at ground floor, Orange Zone).

  Education, Training & Conference Centre

  Our Education, Training and Conference Centre are based in Nightingale House, Whiston Hospital.

  It is a modern and comfortable learning environment for professionals, with modern educational facilities. The centre encompasses: 168 seats, lecture theatre with twin HD presentation system, hearing loop, seven seminar rooms, four clinical skills rooms and two simulation suites.

  Cafe, Restaurant, Shops

  Shop facilities are available at Whiston, St Helens and Newton hospitals and subsidised on-site restaurants are available at Alexandra Park, Whiston and St Helens hospitals.

   

• Other Benefits

  Other Benefits

  Free NHS Wi-Fi

  NHS Wi-Fi is available to patients and staff at both hospital sites.

  Select NHS Wi-Fi from your device settings, enter your email address, tick the terms and conditions box and you’re connected!

  Staff Lottery

  All substantive members of staff are given the opportunity to join the staff lottery.

  It’s just £1 per number each month for entry in the weekly draws for a chance to win up to £500 and much more during Christmas & New Year.

  MWL Bank

  We offer our staff the opportunity to earn extra through working additional shifts via our Trust Bank, with shifts available across all services and sites.

  To find out more on how you can join the MWL Bank click here

  Internal Staff Transfer Scheme

  The Trust is committed to retaining its staff and supporting their professional development.

  Our Internal Staff Transfer Scheme will enable staff to explore internal (like-for-like) opportunities that are available within a different area/ward/department of the Trust. This scheme applies to registered and unregistered permanent staff e.g. Registered Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, Medical Secretaries, Ward Administrators etc. The scheme will allow staff to gain experience across MWL, without having to go through the full application process.

  If you are already part of Team MWL and are interested in this opportunity, please email: Retention@sthk.nhs.uk.

• Education, Training & Development

  

  Here at MWL we are committed to develop a workforce that is highly skilled, motivated and enthusiastic about continuous learning and development, giving them access to high quality education, training and development opportunities. We aim to give our colleagues the opportunity to invest in themselves and empower them to fulfil their development goals and career aspirations. Investing in our workforce ensures that our teams can provide safe, effective, high quality patient care.

  When you join us, you will have access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities. These are available for both clinical and non-clinical staff, whether you are settling into your role or ready to take the next step in your career. We will support you at whatever stage you are in your career, to ensure you get the most out of your role. 

  Our highly qualified Learning and Organisational Development and Clinical Education Teams are skilled and focused on growing individuals, harnessing talent and enhancing your performance. They will be on hand to offer you support and advice and guide you to the development opportunities that suit your needs. Your line manager will also be able to offer further support during one to one meeting, day to day supervision and on your annual appraisal. 

  Learning doesn’t stop when you join #TeamMWL. With us you’ll have access to a variety of learning, training and development opportunities.

  These include: 

  • Corporate Induction
  • Apprenticeships 
  • Leadership and Management Programmes
  • Preceptorship 
  • Our own bespoke Nurse Development Programme
  • Values-Based Appraisals 
  • Functional Skills
  • A wide range of e-Learning Programmes
  • Work-based Learning
  • Clinical Simulation
  • Secondments
  • Statutory and Mandatory Training

  We also provide learning and organisational development opportunities that accommodates different learning styles enabling maximum flexibility and adaptability for our staff.  To suit personal preferences, we offer further learning and training opportunities such as:

  • Coaching and Mentoring
  • Team Development Sessions
  • Work Shadowing

  As a Teaching Trust we support Nursing and Medical Education.  We link into learning networks across Cheshire and Merseyside and the wider North West through the Leadership Academy and other partnerships.

  Annual Appraisals and Personal Development Plan (PDP)

  Every member of #TeamMWL plays an important role in the Trust to deliver Five Star Patient Care.

  Therefore, it is important for our staff to receive regular feedback and ongoing support for continuous learning and development.

  Our Trust has an annual values-based appraisal which allows every staff member to look back on the previous year and review their progress and development and the objectives for their role. This is an opportunity to have a structured and joint discussion with your line manager about your professional progress and learning goals, including how your role supports the Trust to deliver its objectives.

  You will develop an agreed personal development plan with your line manager, where you will receive exciting aims to work towards and rewarding challenges to help you grow.