October 7, 2025In a proactive response to feedback from the People Matter Survey, Lana Dent, Nurse Unit Manager (NUM) of the General Operating Theatre, reached out to the OHS and Wellbeing team to explore opportunities to enhance staff wellbeing. One key idea that emerged was to introduce a short, team-based physical activity session during the daily morning huddle.
Staff shared that they were looking for a fun and energising way to start their day – something that would support both mental and physical readiness for work.
Dylan Perera, Staff Exercise Physiologist, worked closely with Lana, Anna Caro, NUM, and Lucy White, a nurse who volunteered to champion the initiative. With Lucy’s background in yoga and her deep understanding of the demands of the role, the team co-designed a simple, effective routine focusing on mobility, stretching, breathwork and mindfulness — all tailored to the specific needs of clinical staff in physically active roles.
“We were very excited to receive this request,” says Dylan. “There’s growing evidence supporting the broad physical and mental health benefits of workplace physical activity, and it’s increasingly being adopted across many sectors. It’s great to see healthcare teams leading the way.”
The morning huddle activity was launched in July and has been met with great enthusiasm.
“The team are loving the new initiative,” says Lana. “They’re now trying to do it a couple of days each week.”
Lucy, who leads the sessions, says the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with staff requesting even more frequent sessions.
For physically demanding roles, such as nursing, incorporating warm-up and stretching before a shift can help reduce the risk of injury and support overall wellbeing. For those in more sedentary, desk-based roles, the literature recommends increasing incidental movement throughout the day and incorporating short bursts of muscle-strengthening exercises. Resistance bands are one simple and cost-effective way to facilitate this in the workplace.
Research shows that small, regular investments in physical activity during the workday can lead to improvements in productivity, reduced musculoskeletal injuries, and better health outcomes for staff.
If other teams across Northern Health are interested in starting a similar initiative, they are encouraged to contact the OHS and Wellbeing team at staffexphys@nh.org.au to plan a tailored program that suits their team’s needs.
