Samsung Announces Partnership With The NHS – Encouraging Its Employees To Improve Their Health And Wellbeing

Today, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, a market leader in consumer electronics and Worldwide Olympic Partner in the wireless communications equipment category, announces a partnership with the National Health Service (NHS) – specifically supporting its official annual programme, the NHS Sports and Physical Activity Challenge 2012 (NHS Challenge) for its workforce.

The NHS Challenge scheme, which is in its second year, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of its staff as well making it a tangible contribution towards legacy for London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The NHS, the European Union’s largest employer with 1.4 million staff, hopes to motivate 350000 of its workforce into participating in the NHS Challenge for 2012.

The scheme, which starts this month, recognises and rewards staff who inspire others through achievements they make for themselves as well as demonstrating they have gone the extra mile for others and see NHS employees given the chance to be selected as Olympic Torchbearers, thanks to Samsung.

The new partnership celebrates Samsung’s goal of innovation and reflects the core values of the Olympic movement. Both organisations place innovation at the heart of what they do and are working together to explore how smartphone functionality can improve the health and wellbeing of NHS staff and patients.

Sir David Nicholson, Chief Executive, NHS said: “We are delighted to be working with Samsung as a partner for the NHS Challenge 2012 – now in its second year. It’s rewarding to be able to give something back to our staff through this partnership. We encourage our staff to begin nominating someone they feel has made a real difference to the health and wellbeing of NHS employees, during The Challenge for 2012.”

Mr. David Song, Managing Director, Samsung UK and Ireland said: “Samsung is committed to making London 2012 everyone’s Olympic Games. Through the partnership with the NHS, we’re proud to be in a position to offer its workforce the opportunity to nominate someone to become a London 2012 Olympic Torchbearer. It’s a very exciting time for both organisations – employee wellbeing is at the heart of every organisation and something Samsung are keen to recognise and reward. We are looking forward to develop this working relationship further; this partnership is just the first step.”

The announcement that NHS employees can nominate people to become London 2012 Olympic Torchbearers was made at the NHS Confederation’s annual conference and exhibition in Manchester.  Mike Farrar, Chief Executive, NHS Confederation, said:  “The London 2012 Olympic Games provides NHS staff with an amazing opportunity to get inspired and get moving to improve their health. This monumental event also gives NHS employers the opportunity to encourage staff to get more involved in the wide range of sports that will be taking place in 2012. Improving fitness and lifestyle could help the NHS save an incredible £550million through reduced sickness absence of its staff at a time when the service is facing its biggest ever financial challenge. “I’m delighted that hard working NHS staff will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to run with the Olympic Flame, shining a light on everyone in the health service.”

All participating strategic health authorities can take up the challenge by linking up with local sports and activity groups, or by creating their own range of activities that suit them as individuals, in teams or in social groups. Various challenges such as football, netball, rounders, rugby, walking, cycling and weight loss classes are expected to be featured during the NHS Challenge 2012.

These London 2012 Olympic Torchbearer nominations will be co-judged by Samsung and an NHS panel, and put forward to the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) by the end of October 2011.

The selected NHS employees will be part of the Olympic Torch Relay which starts in Lands End on the 19th May.  8000 inspirational Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame as it makes its way around the UK on its 70 day journey, travelling within a one hour journey time of an estimated 95% of the population.

Through this programme, Samsung aims to strengthen the relationship with the NHS with a mission to support their future investment programmes, facilitate the development of wireless communication equipment to improve NHS employees’ skills and capabilities over the long term as a permanent legacy of London 2012 Olympic Games.

To learn more about the Samsung nomination programme for London 2012 Olympic Torchbearers and to nominate someone who has inspired you or has gone the extra mile, please visit www.samsung.com/london2012