Published on: 10 June 2026
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has marked its first “Health Creation Week” with a series of events bringing together staff, partners and local services to promote health and wellbeing and strengthen the role of prevention in everyday care.
Throughout the week, teams across the Trust hosted Health Creation Roadshows and Connection Cafés, connecting staff with local initiatives supporting healthier lifestyles. Topics included physical activity, weight management, smoking cessation, alcohol support and wider wellbeing services. These sessions created valuable opportunities for colleagues to access advice, share knowledge and explore how they can better support patients to improve their health and wellbeing.
This focus aligns with the NHS 10 Year Health Plan, which sets out a clear shift from treating illness to preventing it - targeting key drivers of poor health and ensuring every patient interaction supports healthier lives.
A programme of learning sessions also took place, enabling staff to build their confidence and skills in delivering prevention-focused care and further embedding health creation into everyday practice.
As part of the week, a new salad bar pilot was introduced at The Ark in Basingstoke in collaboration with colleagues from NHS England and partners. The pilot showcased an innovative approach to hospital catering, making healthier food choices more accessible and appealing, and reinforcing the important role of nutrition in supporting staff, patient and visitor health and wellbeing.
Karen Bangs, Staff Wellbeing Lead at Hampshire Hospitals, said:
“Health Creation Week has been a fantastic opportunity to put a real spotlight on the health and wellbeing of our staff, as well as our patients. Alongside creating space for learning, conversation and connection, we’ve been able to offer a range of health checks, giving colleagues the chance to reflect on their own wellbeing and take proactive steps to stay healthy.
“By supporting our teams in this way, we hope that we’re helping colleagues feel more valued and better equipped - both to look after themselves and to have meaningful conversations that can make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of the people we care for.”
The week also featured a Health Creation Think Tank, bringing together clinicians, public health colleagues, and system partners from across Hampshire. The session focused on identifying practical ways to embed prevention into patient pathways, with participants encouraged to develop small, actionable pledges to support long-term change.
Simon Bryant, Director of Public Health at Hampshire County Council, commented:
“Health Creation Week was a fantastic collaboration between Hampshire Hospitals and Hampshire County Council to develop ideas and plans to improve the health of patients, our communities and populations. Working together, we can focus on the health needs of our community and how we can support and enable them to improve their health and wellbeing.”
Clare Rowe Jones, Smokefree Lead at Hampshire Hospitals, added:
“Our Health Creation Think Tank showcased the range of opportunities for collaborations across our system. By bringing clinicians and healthcare agencies together to engage in open, practical discussion, we were able to identify real opportunities to embed prevention into patient pathways. These small pledges will lead to meaningful change for our patients and communities.”
Health Creation Week highlighted the Trust’s ongoing commitment to prevention and partnership working, supporting both patients and staff to live healthier lives.
